Online censorship in Vietnam: How to browse freely
On the 1st of January 2019, a new censorship law took effect in Vietnam.
Up until now, the internet was a relatively free platform in the
sometimes restrictive country. The new legislation means that the
government can now monitor and punish even more people whose views do
not align with theirs.
Internet censorship in Vietnam
The Vietnamese government already has many laws that regulate the
internet, so critics are comparing this new law to The Great Firewall of
China. Sexually explicit, violent and politically sensitive content are
all regulated in Vietnam. The law on Information Technology allows the
government to punish any domestic or foreign individuals (living or
visiting Vietnam) who create any content opposing the state. Such
‘criminals’ can be fined or imprisoned, making online privacy essential
if you want to live or travel there.
In 2010, the government also ordered all organizations that offer free WiFi to install tracking software. In 2013, any distribution of
materials that would harm national security or oppose the government was
also banned. Social media and blogging platforms were the only place
left for people to exchange their ‘personal information.’ However, three
years later, two major blogging platforms – Blogger and WordPress –
were also blocked.
The implications of the new bill
The new law, according to the Vietnamese government, is aimed at
increasing cybersecurity and attracting even more investors. However, it
will be done in a rather peculiar way. The government will track the
content posted on social media (or other platforms) and will ask
organizations to remove ‘state-offensive content’ within 24 hours. The
government will also ask organizations that have more than 10,000
Vietnamese users to establish local offices in Vietnam and host local
servers there.
Carriers keep selling your location
Unlike China, the Vietnamese government doesn’t intend to block any major social media websites. However, tech giants like Facebook and
Google still opposed the new law. They are concerned that it will allow
the government to more easily access users’ data and arrest local
employees. The affected companies will have another 12 months to move
their data centers to Vietnam (days after the bill took effect, Vietnam
accused Facebook of violating the law and allowing its users to post
anti-state messages.)
People living in or visiting the country should be more concerned than ever about their online privacy. If not, they will certainly need
to think twice before sharing anything on social media or expressing
their opinion about Vietnam online. The country has a track record of
bloggers and activists who were sentenced because of their social or
political views.
“While it’s likely that activists who have previously spoken up against government abuses will be targeted first, the government’s
longer-term plan is to bring the internet under the same draconian
controls that affect print media, TV and radio. The government’s new
year gift to its citizens is intensified fear about what they can say
online and uncertainty about what issues and statements will trigger
arrests and prosecution.”
– Phil Robertson, Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch Asia.
What to do if you are going to Vietnam
Visiting or living in countries with oppressive regimes can be
difficult. Something you would carelessly post in your homeland might
result in unexpected punishments in Vietnam. Sometimes you might not be
familiar with the laws and you won’t even know what content will be
perceived as inappropriate. You should always protect your privacy,
which you can easily do by using a VPN.
With NordVPN you can:
A
VPN Change your IP address and location. This will prevent online platforms or the Vietnamese
government from seeing where you posted the content from.
Ensure your online privacy and securityin Vietnam with a VPN and wherever else you go!
http://www.fastvpnproxy.com/2019/08/19/
http://www.fastvpnproxy.com/2019/08/20/
http://www.fastvpnproxy.com/2019/08/21/
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