Better late than never!

According to DataReportal, as of February, there are approximately 49.9 million TikTok users in Vietnam. Along with Facebook, Zalo, and YouTube, it is currently one of the most popular social networks in Vietnam.

Mr. Le Quang Tu Do, Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information ( Ministry of Information and Communications ), stated that previously, the TikTok platform had purely entertainment content. However, since 2022, the platform has seen a surge in content opposing the Party and the State. Along with this, many harmful contents have proliferated on TikTok, negatively impacting Vietnamese children.

Regarding specific information about TikTok's violations in Vietnam, the Director of the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information pointed out six violations by the platform. Firstly, TikTok lacks effective measures to control infringing content related to politics , opposition to the Party and State; fake news; nonsensical, harmful, and even dangerous content for children.

Secondly, automated content distribution algorithms are used to create trends, spreading sensationalist and clickbait content regardless of whether it is harmful, offensive, or has a negative impact on the community and young people.

Thirdly, there are no effective control measures to prevent the business, trade, and advertising of counterfeit and pirated goods.

Fourth, the lack of regulation of TikTok idols' activities has led many TikTok idols to produce nonsensical and uncivilized content to exploit viewers' curiosity, even creating trends to profit from such content.

Fifth, there are no effective measures to control copyrighted content, especially content extracted from films.

Sixth, TikTok also lacks measures to prevent users from freely using other people's private and personal images to spread fake news or defame and insult others.

Regarding TikTok's violations, Mr. Le Quang Tu Do stated that in May 2023, the Ministry will organize an inter-ministerial inspection team with the participation of relevant ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Public Security, and the General Department of Taxation… to conduct a comprehensive inspection of TikTok's operations in Vietnam to ensure the platform's compliance with the law during its business activities in Vietnam.

TikTok is unique because its algorithms aim to "retain" users with short videos that are deemed "engaging," regardless of how harmful or offensive they may be. TikTok allows users to earn money through account followers, product sales, and live streams. This is why, over time, TikTok has seen an increasing amount of harmful, offensive, and misinformation content, including superstitious beliefs. It also explains why TikTokers disregard all ethical considerations to upload videos and live streams that exploit the "animalistic" side of people to the point of degrading and humiliating them.

It can be said that "junk" content is the biggest threat TikTok poses because it negatively impacts the behavior and lifestyle of young people. Online challenges, where the loser has to do all sorts of things on social media, personal attacks, the spread of superstition and social vices... are all rampant content on TikTok. Yet, students spend hours every day watching dozens, even hundreds, of these pointless videos. Most of the content on TikTok doesn't provide knowledge or skills; it's just sensational, cheap, and even harmful. Gradually, it fosters shallow and short-sighted thinking in young people, making them believe that hard work, self-cultivation, and training are unnecessary, and that becoming a "TikTok idol" is enough. Once famous, they believe they can make money quickly, forming a habit of disregarding everything else to achieve their selfish goals.

It must be acknowledged that TikTok's violations have serious consequences, such as creating a favorable environment for the spread of fake news, causing economic damage and social instability. It encourages young people to imitate and follow harmful and offensive trends, distorting their perceptions and lifestyles, and eroding the cultural values of the nation. Furthermore, the platform's lax management has encouraged and facilitated illegal business activities and the proliferation of copyrighted content.

TikTok is a cross-border social media platform. It has globally applied community standards. However, upon entering Vietnam, the platform must comply with Vietnamese law, which includes not only content management but also obligations regarding taxes, payments, advertising, and more.

Many countries around the world have turned their backs on TikTok, restricting it because they believe the negative aspects of this social network outweigh its positive ones. The announcement by Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications that it will conduct a comprehensive inspection of TikTok in May 2023 has been welcomed by the public, even if it's late, it's better late than never!

Authorities need to act quickly and take strong measures to require TikTok to implement technological solutions to prevent and restrict "junk" content, ensuring compliance with Vietnamese law and customs. Because TikTok, having initiated this, must filter the content and restore purity to the cultural environment; otherwise, it will face restrictions or even a complete ban.

Source link