Vietnam: New cybersecurity law approved by National Assembly June 12

Event

Vietnam's National Assembly approved a controversial cybersecurity law on Tuesday, June 12, that requires global technology firms to store data on Vietnamese users in the country. Under the new law, the Vietnamese government can compel foreign websites to censor online information on demand. The new law also forbids internet users from, among other things, organizing for anti-state purposes, spreading false information, and undermining national solidarity. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2019.

Context

Human Rights Watch claims that the cybersecurity law will give the Vietnamese government the ability to more intensively conduct online surveillance on social media platforms and stifle political dissent. In general, the ruling communist government has recently intensified its crackdown on dissent. The authorities retain tight media censorship and do not tolerate criticism. International human rights groups and some Western governments regularly criticize Vietnam for jailing those who peacefully express opposition views.

Advice

Individuals in Vietnam are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and large public gatherings as a precaution, avoid discussing sensitive political topics or criticizing the regime in public or on social media platforms, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.