Vietnam: Closed consultation on Digital Technology Industry Law including the prohibition of goods and services

On 2 September 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) closes its public consultation on Digital Technology Industry Law. The law delineates the prohibited activities of AI in Article 80. In particular, AI systems that influence behaviour without awareness, exploit vulnerabilities, or classify individuals based on inferred characteristics, leading to substantial harm, are prohibited. In addition, AI systems that create facial recognition databases indiscriminately, infer emotions in workplaces and schools (except for medical and safety purposes), or classify individuals based on biometric data to infer sensitive information are also banned. Article 6 delineates the general prohibition of activities within the digital technology industry. Among others, the exploitation of digital technology to inflict harm upon state interests, infringe upon lawful rights, damage resources, the environment, or human health, or disrupt social order is prohibited. Furthermore, the production, handling, or dissemination of data in an illicit manner, the infringement of intellectual property rights, the obstruction of national defence, and the mobilisation of emergency resources are also prohibited.