Zalo's requirement to 'agree to all' terms and conditions is tantamount to pointing a 'knife' at users.

Despite being a product of a domestic company, Zalo's practice of forcing users to "agree to all" terms and conditions if they want to continue using it has angered many readers.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•30/12/2025

zalo - Ảnh 1. — Many users are outraged by Zalo's coercive behavior - Photo: HUU HANH

Following the article "Zalo 'forces' users to provide private information" published on Tuoi Tre Online on December 29th , numerous readers expressed outrage at the disrespectful behavior towards users.

Alongside this are concerns about the risks of this platform collecting too much personal information, including sensitive information, from users.

By making excessive demands regarding privacy, Zalo is "putting users in a very dangerous situation."

"For the past few days, Zalo hasn't been allowing me to send messages or make calls because it's displaying a notification about updating its terms of service," reader Xuan shared about the situation since Zalo started "forcing" users to agree to update their terms of service.

Accordingly, users have only two options: either accept all of Zalo's terms and conditions (including the collection of user information) to continue using the service, or delete Zalo if they do not agree to its requirements.

"The vast majority of users were forced to select 'agree to all' to continue using Zalo in order to avoid work disruptions, even though they knew this could pose risks to themselves," reader Xuan expressed her frustration.

Expressing his frustration with Zalo's new terms, a reader named Kien commented: "Clearly, these terms are like pointing a knife at the user. No application in the world that competes fairly would have such extremely unreasonable and coercive requirements. They are relying on their strength of having a high user base, while the user's weakness is that they seem to be dependent on their application."

From another perspective, reader Phuong Nam shared: "I thought that a Vietnamese application should be simple and not make things difficult for users, but instead they're making unreasonable demands regarding people's privacy."

According to a reader with the email address truo****@gmail.com: “I have two young children who are in school, and their teachers all contact me via Zalo, so I am forced to use it. Forcing users to share personal data in the face of increasing online scams puts them in a very dangerous situation!”

Zalo should have a roadmap and communicate with users.

Zalo's coercive behavior has led many users to call for a boycott of the app.

Reader Hoai Anh stated: "I have informed my friends and partners that from January 1, 2026, they will no longer use Zalo and will permanently delete the application."

"I deleted Zalo from my phone. I use many other tech apps from around the world like Facebook, Instagram, Locket, Lotus, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram... and none of them make such unreasonable requests as Zalo," a reader named Tien asserted.

Many other readers also announced they would delete Zalo and switch to another app.

However, many readers are also concerned because Zalo is being linked to many public administrative services.

Reader Hoang Dinh Anh commented: “Some administrative agencies still require people to use Zalo; without Zalo, no paperwork can be processed. The water supply company also requires registration via Zalo, and now some other sectors are doing the same; there is no alternative platform.”

A reader named Xuan provided the following example: "For instance, when going to verify marital status for property transactions, you will be guided by ward officials to log in and have the file sent via Zalo after you have filled out the information online."

Similarly, reader ThienDao also commented: "Vietnam has a Consumer Protection Association, and Zalo and the association should sit down together to review the terms of the agreement that requires users to sign a commitment. Only then will users be assured that their rights are protected."

"In this case, the state authorities need to step in and conduct inspections to protect the legitimate interests of the people," reader Minh kute suggested.

Zalo caused a stir when it displayed a message saying "Agree" or "Stop using the service".

Given Zalo's necessity and significant influence on users' online activities, many readers believe that the platform should have a specific roadmap and conducted user surveys instead of "suddenly displaying a notification that covers the entire screen with just the words 'agree' or 'stop using the service' along with numerous terms and conditions."

"It's shocking to feel like there's no choice. The issue isn't about love or hate, liking or disliking, needing or not needing, but the problem is that users (in reality, their customers) feel disrespected, treated impolitely and disrespectfully!" reader Nói Thẳng expressed.