To end fraud, Vietnam to require social media users to verify identity

In a bid to prevent online fraud, Vietnam plans to make it obligatory for social media users to verify their identities, state media reported this week.

In a bid to prevent online fraud, Vietnam plans to make it obligatory for social media users to verify their identities, state media reported this week.

As part of the Telecommunications Law Amendment to be issued by the end of this year, the measure will enable law enforcement agencies to track down offenders who use social media to break the law, state-run Voice of Vietnam newspaper reported.

"There are times the authorities can identify social media account holders that violate the laws, but cannot track them down because those criminals use cross-border applications," said information deputy minister Nguyen Thanh Lam, as quoted by local media.

"Unverified accounts, no matter on local or foreign platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, will be dealt with," he added.

The regulation will need the approval of the country's lawmakers and details have not been revealed.