Vietnamese government wants to combat online scams by verifying user identities on social media

Vietnam is planning to implement a measure requiring social media users on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to verify their identities in an effort to combat online scams.

The government regulation which is expected to be issued later this year, will make identity verification mandatory, aiming to prevent untraceable fraud groups.

According to the local newspaper Voice of Vietnam (VOV), both individual and organisational users would be subject to the measure. It is worth noting that Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube do not currently offer identity verification in Vietnam.

"Unverified accounts, no matter on local or foreign platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, will be dealt with", according to VOV citing the country's information deputy minister Nguyen Thanh Lam. However, no specific information regarding potential punishments for non-compliance has been disclosed thus far.

These measures are part of Vietnam's broader strategy to combat disinformation, protect national security, and assert control over online information. While the government's intentions include combating fake news and promoting responsible online behaviour, concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact on freedom of expression and the privacy of users.