Users panic ahead of social media account verification date

One day before Decree 147 on social media account authentication requirements took effect, Mai Thanh Phu, an expert in providing internet services, continuously received messages of questions from customers.

"People see the press reporting that they have to authenticate their social media accounts to be able to share and post information (write articles, comment, livestream). But no platform has announced or instructed users on the specific authentication steps and what the authentication information includes. This makes users, especially KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders - people with influence on social networks), who livestream to sell products on Facebook and TikTok, very confused and worried that their accounts may be locked from tomorrow," Mr. Phu shared.

User anxiety

According to Point e, Clause 3, Article 23 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP: "Only verified accounts are allowed to post information (write articles, comment, livestream) and share information on social networks. In case users of social networking services use the livestream feature for commercial purposes, they must authenticate their accounts with their personal identification numbers". The Decree takes effect from December 25.

According to Thanh Nien reporter's actual records, up to now, popular social networks in Vietnam such as Facebook, Zalo, TikTok... have not yet had any announcement to users about this.

Some popular social networking applications

Hong Anh, the owner of a fashion store in Ho Chi Minh City, who specializes in livestreaming to sell clothes on Facebook, said: "I livestream on many channels at the same time, some fanpages are purchased, not the owner. Now I don't know how to verify the account. If I don't verify, I'm afraid I won't be able to livestream to sell tomorrow. Many friends around me are worried like me," Hong Anh said.

Meanwhile, Thanh Tuan, a specialist in managing dozens of livestream channels for a specialty store on multiple platforms, said he is ready to provide information on social media account identification according to regulations. However, people do not know what specific information needs to be provided for each type of account, how the data will be stored, and whether it is safe to provide this information to the platforms.

Mr. Tuan estimated that if he did not prepare in advance and his account was banned from livestreaming according to regulations, his company could lose hundreds of millions of dong every day because it was the peak shopping season at the end of the year.

Social networks remain 'inactive'

According to Decree 147, within 90 days from December 25, 2024, organizations, businesses and individuals providing cross-border information services in Vietnam as well as units providing domestic social networking services must carry out the request to authenticate active accounts according to regulations.

However, up to now, most major social networks have not made any related moves. No platform has sent out any specific notices or instructions, making many people wonder whether the new Decree will really affect the platform's operations and the rights of users?

Mr. Mai Thanh Phu said: "Facebook has not made any official announcement about requiring account verification before posting. This regulation is within the legal scope of Vietnam, social networks like Facebook may need time to implement specific requirements from the authorities."

On popular social networks such as Facebook, Zalo, TikTok... there is a section on account authentication. However, this is just an extension, not required.

Facebook requires users to verify their identity via email, then upload a photo of their ID. However, this is currently available to those who need to run ads about social issues, elections or politics .

Meanwhile, Zalo has an "Account Identification" section to enhance security, use additional special features and upgrade the number of members in a group. Similar to Facebook, this section is also optional, not required for users and was available before Decree 147 was issued.

What should social network users pay attention to from December 25?

According to experts, the new Decree may be suitable for domestic social networks, but it will be much more complicated for cross-border platforms. In addition to ensuring technical conditions, the technical system for establishing social networks must be able to meet the following requirements: Storing information of service users from Vietnam when registering for social network accounts, including: Full name, date of birth, mobile phone number in Vietnam (or personal identification number).

In addition, the Decree also stipulates that the personnel responsible for managing the content and information of the social networking service platform must be Vietnamese citizens, have a headquarters with a clear and contactable address and phone number.

Service providers must have at least one server system located in Vietnam, allowing for inspection, testing, and storage at any time.

Regarding technical conditions, information about accounts, login and logout times, service user IP addresses and logs of information processing must be stored for at least two years. When the storage period expires according to the law, the information of service users in Vietnam must be deleted.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-dung-hoang-mang-truoc-ngay-phai-xac-thuc-tai-khoan-mang-xa-hoi-185241224152619524.htm