Vietnam social media

In the absence of firm principles, Vietnam’s ambitious effort to combat malicious online content has been guided by public outrage.

Digital rights in Vietnam are declining as a new system of surveillance and control has emerged in the country, with the support of Western tech giants.

The move is the latest in the state's attempts to cleanse the online sphere of "false news" and "anti-state" content.

It will soon introduce restrictions on which social media accounts can post news-related content.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has attracted both admirers and detractors among the country's active netizens.

Whether or not it is enforceable, the move hints at Hanoi’s desire for tight control over what its citizens say and do online.

To secure its monopoly on power, the Communist Party bends the rules, bans the competition, and dominates the digital landscape.

Reports of recent threats notwithstanding, such a move would invite massive blowback from the public.

“If I could die for Mr. Trump to become the President," wrote one Vietnamese Facebook user, "I would be very willing to do so.”

The online attacks on Vietnam's "Patient 17" were disgraceful, but there is no evidence that her identity was leaked by the Vietnamese government.

Vietnam’s government has been able to co-opt Facebook to act in its own interests – for now.