Vietnam has taken a significant step towards maintaining a safe and responsible online environment by requiring cross-border social media platforms to implement artificial intelligence (AI) models capable of automatically detecting and removing toxic content. This move reinforces Vietnam’s strict stance on social media regulation and highlights the importance of AI in content moderation.
To combat offensive, false, and anti-state content on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, Vietnam has called upon social media giants to collaborate closely with authorities. In the first half of this year, Facebook removed 2,549 posts, YouTube took down 6,101 videos, and TikTok eliminated 415 links that violated content guidelines, responding to government requests. These actions signify the platforms’ commitment to adhering to Vietnam’s content standards and regulations.
Vietnam’s decision to mandate AI-powered content moderation aligns with broader regional efforts in Southeast Asia. Countries in the region are working towards developing comprehensive governance and ethics guidelines for AI technology, particularly in the context of content moderation. This demonstrates the growing recognition of the need to regulate and harness AI’s potential across different sectors.
In recent years, Vietnam has taken proactive measures to address disinformation and online content challenges. It has introduced regulations, such as a cybersecurity law, specifically targeting foreign social media platforms. These efforts aim to combat the spread of false information and require tech companies to establish local representative offices and store data within Vietnam’s borders.
Vietnam recently conducted an inspection of TikTok’s local operations, discovering several violations of content guidelines on the popular short video platform. This inspection further underscores Vietnam’s commitment to safeguarding its online ecosystem and ensuring compliance with established regulations.
During a mid-year review event organized by Vietnam’s information ministry, it was revealed that Netflix, the U.S. streaming giant, had submitted the necessary documents to establish a local office in Vietnam. This move signifies Netflix’s willingness to comply with Vietnamese regulations and highlights the importance of a local presence for foreign media platforms operating within the country.
Vietnam’s order for AI-powered content moderation on social media platforms marks a significant step in creating a safer online environment. By leveraging AI technology, these platforms can proactively identify and eliminate harmful content. This move aligns with broader regional efforts in Southeast Asia to regulate and harness the potential of AI. Vietnam’s commitment to enforcing content standards and regulations is evident in its inspection of TikTok’s operations and the requirement for foreign media platforms to establish local offices. With more collaboration between social media giants and regulatory bodies, Vietnam aims to combat offensive, false, and anti-state content more effectively.
