Vietnam has introduced new regulations requiring social media users to verify their accounts using local phone numbers or personal identification numbers, marking a significant expansion of the country’s digital identity verification requirements. Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP, which takes effect December 25, 2024, establishes comprehensive requirements for social media platforms and cross-border information services operating in Vietnam.
Under the new regulations, only verified accounts will be permitted to post and share information on social media platforms. This move follows Vietnam’s broader push toward digital identity verification, which has included the implementation of certified facial recognition systems for electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) processes.
The decree classifies offshore social networks and app stores as cross-border information providers if they lease data storage in Vietnam or attract over 100,000 monthly visits from Vietnam over six consecutive months. Service providers must notify Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) of their contact information and cooperate with authorities to handle violations. The decree requires platforms to store user data locally and remove illegal content within 24 hours of receiving official requests.
The regulations mandate storage of Vietnamese users’ personal information, including full names, birth dates, and local phone numbers or PINs. For users under 16, accounts must be registered by parents or legal guardians, similar to recent age verification requirements implemented in other countries. Accounts using livestream features for commercial purposes require verification through personal identification numbers.
Nguyen Tien Nam from the Communication Ministry’s Cyber Security Department states that “Account identification helps authorities identify the real identity behind the account, providing good support for the investigation and handling of violations.”
Additional provisions include requirements for content classification and labeling to protect children, implementation of online safety measures, and annual reporting obligations to the MIC by November 25. Platforms must also disseminate Vietnamese laws on internet use and cybersecurity to users. These requirements align with broader regional efforts to regulate digital services, as evidenced by the GSMA’s regulatory initiatives in Southeast Asia.
Non-compliance with these regulations may result in fines, operational restrictions, or potential bans from operating in Vietnam. The decree also requires providers to enter content cooperation agreements with Vietnamese press agencies and provide content searching and scanning tools upon request. This framework represents one of the most comprehensive social media verification systems in Southeast Asia, building upon existing digital identity infrastructure in the region.
Sources: SGGP News, VOA News, DFDL, Vietnam Briefing, Allen & Gledhill
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