Better late than never!

DataReportal data shows that as of February, there are currently about 49.9 million TikTok social network users in Vietnam. Along with Facebook, Zalo, YouTube, this 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 ) said that previously, the Tiktok platform had purely entertainment content. But since 2022, many anti-Party and anti-State contents have appeared on the Tiktok platform. Along with that, many toxic contents have been strongly developed on Tiktok, affecting Vietnamese children.

Regarding specific information about Tiktok's violations in Vietnam, the Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information pointed out 6 violations of this platform. Firstly, Tiktok does not have effective measures to control content related to politics , anti-Party and anti-State; fake news; nonsense, toxic content, even dangerous to children.

The second is to use automatic content distribution algorithms to create trends to spread sensational, clickbait content, regardless of whether it is toxic, offensive, or has a negative impact on the community and young people.

Third, there are no effective control measures to prevent the trading, advertising and promotion of counterfeit goods.

Fourth, there is no management of Tiktok idols' activities. Many Tiktok idols tend to produce nonsense and uncultured content to target viewers' curiosity, and even create trends to profit from this content.

Fifth, there is no effective control over pirated content, especially content extracted from movies.

Sixth, Tiktok also has no management measures to prevent users from arbitrarily 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 said that it is expected that in May 2023, the Ministry will organize an interdisciplinary inspection team with the participation of relevant ministries and branches such as: Industry and Trade, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Police, General Department of Taxation... to comprehensively inspect Tiktok's operations in Vietnam to ensure compliance with the law of this platform during its operations and business in Vietnam.

TikTok is different thanks to its algorithms that try to “retain” users with short videos with content that is considered “attractive”, regardless of how toxic or offensive it is. TikTok allows users to make money through account followers, cross-selling products, and livestreaming. That is why over time, more and more bad, offensive content, false information, superstition, etc. appear on TikTok. And it also explains why TikTokers disregard everything to post videos and livestreams with content that exploits the “animal part” to the point of degrading and insulting human dignity.

It can be said that “garbage” content is the biggest danger TikTok causes because it negatively affects the behavioral culture and lifestyle of young people. Online challenges, where the loser has to do all kinds of things on social networks, personal attacks, spreading superstition, social evils, etc. are all rampant on TikTok. However, students spend hours every day watching dozens, hundreds of useless videos like this. Most of the content on TikTok does not provide knowledge or skills, but is just sensational, cheap, and even toxic. Gradually, young people develop shallow, short-sighted thinking such as not needing to study hard, cultivate, and practice, just becoming a “TikTok idol” is enough. Once famous, they can make money in a “quick-fix” way, forming a habit of disregarding everything in order to achieve selfish goals.

It must be affirmed that TikTok's violations have left serious consequences such as creating a favorable environment for fake news to spread, causing economic damage and social instability. Encouraging young people to imitate and follow bad and offensive trends, distorting the perception and lifestyle of young people, and corrupting the cultural values of the nation. In addition, the lax management of this platform has encouraged and facilitated illegal business activities; copyright infringement content is rampant.

TikTok is a cross-border social media platform. They have community standards that apply globally. However, when entering Vietnam, this platform must comply with Vietnamese law, including not only content management but also tax obligations, payments, advertising, etc.

Many countries around the world have “turned their backs” on and restricted TikTok because they believe that the negative aspects of this social network are overwhelming the positive aspects. The announcement by the Ministry of Information and Communications of our country that it will conduct a comprehensive inspection of TikTok in May 2023 has been welcomed by public opinion, although better late than never!

Authorities need to quickly intervene and take strong enough measures to require TikTok to have technological solutions to prevent and limit “garbage” content, ensuring compliance with the law and Vietnamese customs. Because TikTok “initiated” it, it must purify the content and restore purity to the cultural environment; otherwise, it will be restricted or even “banned”./.

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