On May 8, speaking at the explanation session of the National Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam said in the coming time, all social media account holders, both individuals and organizations, must complete the identification. 

The regulation will be applied to foreign social networks such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok as well.

The regulation has been included in the decree that replaces decrees on managing and using information on the internet which is being amended and will be promulgated in 2023. 

It aims to prevent scammers from making corrupt use of technology to commit cybercrimes.

A representative from TikTok in Vietnam whom VietNamNet contacted affirmed that if such a regulation is officially promulgated, it will be strictly observed by TikTok.

He said that when a legal framework is created, the identification of individual accounts on the platform will become easier and be implemented quickly. 

In reality, identified accounts will have higher value, but only when there is a legal framework will social media be able to ask users to implement this.

In the case of TikTok, the identified accounts used for buying or selling goods account for 30 percent, while another 30 percent of accounts are inactive.

Meanwhile, Google has not made any comment, because this is an issue related to personal information. 

However, according to T.S., who manages many large entertainment channels on YouTube in HCMC, Google's YouTube accounts have all been identified. 

If users are not verified, they will face restrictions, for example, in uploading long videos. The platform identifies users by their phone numbers. 

T.S. supports the decision by agencies to request cross-border platforms to identify users’ accounts, saying that this will help mitigate online scams.

As for Facebook, VietNamNet is waiting for a reply from the social network to questions about the request to identify users’ accounts.

Currently, users in Vietnam, when registering Facebook accounts, are asked to verify themselves with documents granted by the state, such as ID and passwords, and they are encouraged to use their real names. 

The users with verified accounts will receive support from the platform when they meet with troubles, if not, their accounts won’t be restored when hacked.

Nguyen Duy Vi, CEO of Buzi Media in HCM City, said that identification will make the environment on social media become healthier.

However, Khoi Nguyen, a social networking service provider in HCM City, said that people can still make forged identification, like using tools to create forged documents for verification.

Trong Dat