Vietnam warns of potential ban on TikTok amidst calls for enhanced compliance

At the Multichannel Network (MCN) Networking Conference organised by the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), various media companies and online content creators gathered to discuss the future of the social media platform TikTok and its content creators.

During the event, director of the authority Le Quang Tu Do raised several questions concerning the platform's fate, and that of content creators, after the department conducted an inspection of TikTok.

According to Do, the future of this social media platform and its content creators depends on cross-border social media platforms, key opinion leaders, MCNs, and media companies. Specifically, TikTok and other social media platforms will face restrictions if they lack cooperation, do not self-impose global community standards, or fail to comply with the local regulations.

"Cross-border social media platforms will be blocked from operating in Vietnam if they do not collaborate with state management agencies. If TikTok does not cooperate with the government, particularly with the MIC, it will undoubtedly face a ban," stated Do.

He also emphasised that content creators on social media platforms need to understand that the online space is no longer a virtual realm. They must comply with the Cybersecurity Law, the Law on Information Technology, and the Decree on the Management, Provision, and Use of Internet Services and Online Information. Therefore, content creators are held responsible for their posted content in both civil and criminal respects.

In addition, in the near future, administrative penalties will shift from consolidation to fragmentation. For instance, repetitive violations will incur corresponding penalties multiplied by the number of violations, rather than a single penalty.

In May, the MIC, together with relevant ministries and agencies, conducted a comprehensive inspection of TikTok's activities in Vietnam.

The inspection was initiated due to the social media platform's previous misconduct and to ensure its compliance with the laws during its operations and business activities.

According to the decision, the inspection team will carry out a comprehensive review to assess the compliance with legal regulations on the management, provision, and use of online services and information by TikTok Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd. and TikTok Vietnam's representative office.