Vietnam: Adopted Decree 72 on the management, provision and use of Internet services and online information including content moderation regulation

On 15 July 2013, the Government adopted Decree 72 on the management, provision, and use of Internet services and online information. The decree is applicable to Vietnamese and foreign organisations and individuals and details the management, provision, and use of Internet services, online information, and online games, and assurance of information safety and security. Decree 72 delineates a range of prohibited acts pertaining to the use and provision of Internet services. Such actions include those that oppose the state, undermine national security, or involve the propagation of violence, obscenity, and other harmful content. It is the responsibility of the entities to monitor, supervise and remove any public information that includes the aforementioned acts, either on their own initiative or at the request of a competent agency. In addition, it requires social network organisations to provide private and personal information of users relating to terrorism, crime, and violations of law at the request of competent state management agencies. The decree enters into force on 1 September 2013.