Vietnam’s strict new social media regulations strangle free speech
February 18, 2025
Vietnam’s new “decree 147,” implemented in December, tightens regulations on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, granting authorities increased control over online content. The decree mandates user account verification, data storage within Vietnam, and swift removal of posts deemed illegal. Critics argue it will further stifle free speech and dissent, as the government intensifies its crackdown on political content and citizen journalism, with social media companies facing pressure to comply.
