What is cyberspace? Assurance of information security in cyberspace in Vietnam

What is cyberspace? Assurance of information security in cyberspace in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is cyberspace?

According to Clause 3, Article 2 of the Cybersecurity Law 2018, cyberspace means a network of information technology (IT) infrastructure which includes telecommunications network, the Internet, computer network, communication systems, information processing and control systems, databases; cyberspace is where people’s activities are not limited by space and time.

2. Assurance of information security in cyberspace in Vietnam

* Information mentioned as follows and other information that violates national security are not allowed on websites, web portals and social media pages of any organization or individual:

- A piece of information in cyberspace will be considered propaganda against the government of Socialist Republic of Vietnam if it:

+ Slanders or defames the people's government;

+ Is used for psychological warfare; provokes war of aggression; causes discrimination against or hostility towards a race, religion or country;

+ Offends the people or desecrate the national flag, national anthem, political leaders, honored people or national heroes.

- A piece of information in cyberspace will be considered provoking riots or disturbing the peace if it:

+ Persuades, encourages, deceives, threatens people or causes discrimination for the purpose of armed activities or use of violent force to oppose the people's government.

+ Encourages, deceives, threatens or persuades people to participate in public gathering intended to cause disruption or oppose law enforcers or obstructs operation of an organization, thus threatens public order and security.

- A piece of information in cyberspace will be considered humiliating or slandering if it:

+ Seriously harms another person’s dignity or honor;

+ Is fabricated to harm another person’s dignity or honor or violate lawful rights and interests of another organization or individual.

- Information in cyberspace that is meant to commit violations against regulations of law on economic management includes:

+ Fabricated or false information about products, goods, money, bonds, treasury bills, checks and other financial instruments;

+ Fabricated or false information about finance, banking, e-commerce, electronic payment, foreign exchange, capital raising, multi-level marketing, securities.

- Other fabricated or false information in cyberspace that is meant to cause public confusion or economic loss, obstructing regulatory bodies or law enforcers, violate lawful rights and interests of other organizations and individuals.

* Domestic and overseas providers of telecommunications services, internet services and value-added services in Vietnam’s cyberspace have the responsibility to:

+ Verify users’ information when they open digital accounts; protect confidentiality of users’ information and accounts; provide users’ information for professional cybersecurity forces of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam upon request in writing to serve investigation into cybersecurity violations;

+ Block and delete information with infringing content on their services or information systems within 24 hours after a request is given by the cybersecurity force of the Ministry of Public Security or a competent authority of the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam; keep a log of such events to serve investigation into cybersecurity violations for a certain period of time specified by the Government of Vietnam;

+ Stop providing or refuse to provide the aforementioned services for the organizations or individuals that post the information with infringing content upon request by the cybersecurity force of the Ministry of Public Security or a competent authority of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

* Domestic and overseas providers of telecommunications services, internet services and value-added services in Vietnam’s cyberspace that collect, analyze or process private information or data about relationships of their service users or data created by their service users in Vietnam shall retain such data for a specific period of time defined by the Government.

Overseas enterprises mentioned in this Clause shall open branches or representative offices in Vietnam.

(Article 26 of the Cybersecurity Law 2018)

Diem My

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