Vietnam: Closed consultation on Draft Decree 72 on the management, provision and use of internet services and online information including service access restrictions

On 15 September 2023, the Vietnamese Government closed its consultation on Draft Decree 72 on the management, provision and use of internet services and online information, which would entirely replace current Decree 72. The draft decree stipulates that individuals engaging in online gaming must provide accurate personal details, including their full name, date of birth, permanent address, ID number or passport number, and a Vietnamese mobile phone number when registering for gaming accounts. Social media service providers are required to protect the confidentiality of user information, including full name, date of birth, identification number, and mobile phone number, by collecting, processing, and storing it securely. For users under 14 years old, the platform must obtain and verify the consent and information of a legal guardian, who is responsible for the minor’s account registration and use. It is a requirement for foreign entities that provide cross-border information services to users in Vietnam to authenticate user accounts using a valid Vietnamese mobile phone number. Furthermore, they must restrict account creation to users aged 16 and above and cooperate with the relevant authorities by providing user information and removing illegal content upon request.