Facebook Accused of Violating Cybersecurity Laws in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information has accused Facebook of violating Vietnamese law in its management of online content, advertising, and tax liabilities. The body said that the Ministry of Information and Communications was considering withholding cash from flowing into “hatred advertising” on the social media site, and was withholding taxes to deal with what it said were violations of Vietnamese law.

Vietnam said the social media site allowed users to post “slanderous content, anti-government sentiment, and libel and defamation of individuals, organizations and state agencies” which is in violation of the new cybersecurity law that took effect on January 1. Facebook said that it was diligent about removing content in compliance with local law.