One of the issues added to the draft decree is about authenticating social network user’s account by mobile phone numbers in Vietnam. This is an issue of great concern as there are tens of millions of social network users.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, deputy head of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI), said there are three methods to authenticate social network users – via e-mail, mobile phones or identity cards.

Of these, the first and the second methods are the most commonly used. Thirty percent of domestic users choose email, 30 percent choose mobile phone numbers, and 40 percent choose either email or mobile phone number.

As for cross-border social networks, YouTube accepts authentication by mobile phone numbers, Twitter allows email, and Facebook accepts both. As for TikTok, users have to choose the same modes for registration and authentication (other social network accounts, emails or phone numbers).

Huyen said that adding specific regulations on authenticating social network users is a necessity, because cybercrimes are on the rise. The required authentication of users will create favorable conditions for agencies to better supervise, discover and handle breaches.

According to ABEI, social networks have a big impact and spread rapidly, so with the identification, users need to heighten their awareness and responsibility when providing and using information on the internet. 

Moreover, the requirement on authenticating users by phone numbers is also necessary to synchronize it with other current regulations.

Users have tended to shift from PCs to mobiles, so it is necessary to change the authentication mode to suit reality.

Huyen believes the method is highly feasible because it is used by many platforms in Vietnam and overseas.

ABEI suggested the authentication mode after considering the real situation and international practice. China requests social networks to authenticate with users’ IDs, while Russia requires digital platforms to authenticate users via mobile phone numbers. India stipulates that social networks must set up a mechanism to authenticate user accounts.

MIC is collecting opinions from the public about the draft decree. It believes that requesting authentication by mobile phone numbers suits current trends. The ministry will cooperate with social networks and telecom carriers to prepare a roadmap to deploy the regulation in the time to come.

Van Anh