Vietnam enforces new security law against Facebook News
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Vietnam enforces new security law against Facebook

Only a few days into 2019, Vietnam is threatening to penalize Facebook for violating a new cybersecurity law.

The law was approved by Vietnam’s National assembly in June and went into effect the first day of 2019, alarming free speech advocates.

According to a report by the Vietnamese Government controlled news outlet, Facebook has violated the cybersecurity law by failing to “manag[e] information content, online advertising and tax liability.” Facebook has refused to take down content criticizing the government, allowed advertisements and sales of fake or illegal products, like firecrackers and fake weapons. Lastly, the government accuses Facebook of skirting taxes on the profits made from advertisements.

In response, Facebook issued a statement: “We have a clear process for governments to report illegal content to us, and we review all those requests against our terms of service and local law.”

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