VietNamNet Bridge - After a working session with the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), Google has changed its algorithm and refined its censorship unit, but this has not yet settled the problem. ‘Dirty’ video clips are still attached to ads, worrying Vietnamese brands.


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MIC plans new solution for clean ads on YouTube




In 2017, MIC discovered that ads of many Vietnamese brands were associated with video clips with bad content (pornography, pedophilia and slanderous comments towards the Vietnamese state and Communist Party leaders).

According to Le Quang Tu Do from MIC, other countries have also discovered the same situation.

In the UK, media campaigns about children and immigrant protection have been found attached with the video clips of the self-proclaimed IS. In the US, Coca Cola, Pepsi and AT&T stopped ad campaigns on YouTube. The same move was also taken by Vinamilk, Vinhome, Yamaha and FPT in Vietnam.

Also according to Do, ads with all kinds of content can be placed on Facebook, from weapon trading, wildlife trafficking to ones offensive to businesses and individuals. 

The illegal ads on Facebook are more difficult to be discovered because ad campaigns last for certain periods and only appear on the news feed of targeted subjects as set by advertisers. 

The illegal ads on Facebook are more difficult to be discovered because ad campaigns last for certain periods and only appear on the news feed of targeted subjects as set by advertisers. 

A local newspaper reported in July 2017 that after working with Vietnamese authorities, YouTube and Facebook removed 3,000 clips and over 600 accounts of this kind.

However, MIC said Google still has not found a solution. 

MIC also met representatives of Facebook and requested to remove 400 accounts that trade forbidden and counterfeit goods. Facebook has removed 70 percent of the accounts. Under its policy, one account will be deleted only if there is evidence showing that the account’s owner violates regulations many times.

Meanwhile, under Vietnamese laws, the violators will be sent to prison after one violation.

As no proper solution has been found, Vietnamese businesses and ad agents face a dilemma. Their demand for posting online ads on Google and Facebook is very high as the two channels make up 60 percent of the online ad market in Vietnam. 

However, if posting ad clips on Google and Facebook, their brands would be affected by video clips with bad content.

Do said MIC is thinking of drawing up the lists of ‘clean accounts’ – a White List, and ‘dirty accounts’ – a Black List for YouTube. 

The producers of video clips to be posted on YouTube to make money from ads would be encouraged to register with MIC. This will provide information to MIC to draw up a list of quality channels on YouTube.


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Mai Thanh