Vietnam’s latest social media regulations, known as Decree 147, have sparked global concern over free speech erosion and government overreach. Enforced since December 2023, the law targets platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, requiring strict user verification, data localization, and rapid content removal. 'This is not just about control—it’s about eliminating any challenge to the Communist Party’s narrative,' warns Ben Swanton of The 88 Project.
Key provisions of Decree 147 include:
- Mandatory phone or national ID verification for social media users
- 24-hour takedown windows for posts deemed 'illegal'
- Government access to platform search engines for surveillance
- Banning citizen journalism and critiques of officials
With over 65 million Facebook users—two-thirds of Vietnam’s population—the decree’s impact could be catastrophic for digital rights. Researchers report a visible decline in political discourse as citizens self-censor.
'Decree 147 turns the chilling effect into an icy stranglehold,'Swanton emphasized during a Bangkok interview.
The law’s enforcement mechanisms are already taking shape. In June 2023, officials identified 20 Facebook group members through mass profile reviews, demanding they exit 'anti-state' discussions. Recent jail sentences include:
- A blogger imprisoned 12 years for exposing corruption
- A lawyer jailed three years for criticizing judicial leaders
Social media giants face a late-March compliance deadline, though TikTok and Facebook remain silent on their strategies. Analysts fear the decree’s data storage rules could expose activists to retaliation. With half of Vietnamese citizens relying on social media for news, the regulations threaten to sever access to independent reporting.
The 88 Project urges platforms to resist the decree’s most oppressive measures and calls for international pressure to repeal it. As Vietnam tightens its digital grip, the world watches whether tech giants will prioritize human rights over market access.
