Vietnam: Opened Consultation on the telecommunication draft decree requiring user identification

On 4 August 2021, Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications ('MIC') opened the consultation on the telecommunication draft decree. The draft would amend and supplement a number of articles of the Government's Decree No. 25/2011/ND-CP dated 6 April 2011, detailing and guiding the implementation of certain articles of the Law on Telecommunications. Among others, the draft provisions provide that stricter management regulations shall be implemented to circumvent incorrect information of subscribers. The companies concerned also have to follow a detailed authentication procedure for their subscribers. Alongside an authentication procedure, a risk management framework has to be implemented if the telecommunication companies offer the subscribers to use their mobile accounts to pay for information content services on mobile telecommunications networks. Also - if requested - the telecommunication companies have to provide user information to the competent state agencies. Public opinions can be submitted until 7 October 2021.