Facebook has violated Vietnam’s new cyber-security law by allowing users to post anti-government comments on the platform, the country’s state media said on Wednesday (Jan 9), days after the controversial legislation took effect in the communist-ruled country.
Expert Comments below:
Ilia Kolochenko, CEO at High-Tech Bridge:
“The problem of many emerging cyber laws is that they may inadvertently, or even purposefully, impact the freedom of speech. Moreover, in developing countries, proper enforcement of such laws will be highly complicated, impractical and expensive both for social networks and the government.
Who will decide and under which standard what is permissible and what is not? Who will ensure impartiality? How cases of malicious or abusive removals may be appealed? Last but not least – constitutional validity of such laws may also be questioned. Worse, there is no plausible sanction against company such as Facebook for violation of the law – a ban will be expensive and ineffective, moreover it will likely provoke the reverse effect if not cause a revolution in the country.”
