Cybersecurity

The code, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications, states that social media service providers must respect users' rights to privacy, publicize their methods for finding content that break the law, including copyright laws, and must cooperate with authorities in removing such content. Social media platforms should also devise ways to protect the vulnerable segments of society, including the poor, ethnic minority communities, children and the disabled, the code says. Users and organizations are encouraged to use their real names on social media platforms, share content that is legitimate, abide by "moral and cultural standards" and not share hate speech or discriminatory content. Users must not post law-breaking content and content that harm a person's dignity and rights, share fake news and content that affect social order, the code says. The ministry said social media users are encouraged to share content that reflects Vietnam's national and cultural values, as well as positive content including people doing good things. The code asks government officials to provide feedback on opinions expressed on social media platforms. The Vietnamese parliament had in 2018 passed a cybersecurity law that bans internet users from organizing, encouraging or training other people for anti-state purposes. They are also not allowed to distort history, negate the nation’s revolutionary achievements, undermine national solidarity, offend religions and discriminate on the basis of gender and race. The law, which took effect in 2019, also requires foreign social media businesses to open representative offices in Vietnam and store their Vietnamese users' data on Vietnamese territory. Despite concerns and criticisms of the law expressed in several quarters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it serves to protect national security and order while not impeding any international pact. …

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The Bluezone application is playing an important role in tracing COVID-19 patients (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently highlighted technology as a spearhead in the country’s strategy to combat COVID-19. The contribution of technology during the pandemic to prepare for recovery, reconstruction and socio-economic development is very important. In many countries around the world, technology played an important role in re-establishing lives and economic recovery as the pandemic was brought under control. In Vietnam, applications in medical declaration, robots and testing are promoting the power of science and technology in effective pandemic prevention and control. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy, who is also the head of the Quick Response Information Team under the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, said that the quick response information team always updated, analysed and used monitoring information and data to assess the situation and make forecasts about pandemic developments in the world and in Vietnam. The team also established a mechanism to monitor those on entry and in quarantine, develop response plans, build a COVID-19 safety map, and provide advice to emergency services , as well as implementing measures to help localities with the pandemic in the area. Regarding the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in COVID-19 prevention and control, a group of scientists from the Faculty of Medicine under the HCM City National University has just announced a new study, in which AI is used to manage people in quarantine areas, hospitals, industrial parks, border gates, and crowded areas to prevent COVID-19. The solution introduces a control system capable of detecting people who have been in close contact with COVID-19 patients who are required to be quarantined. The monitoring system is deployed at apartment entryways, hospital gates, doors to …

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Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The code of conduct on social networks only offers recommendations, and individuals and organisations committing violations will be punished in line with the law, said Do Quy Vu, Deputy Director of the  National Institute of Information and Communications Strategy under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC). In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on June 18 after the code of conduct was issued by the MIC a day earlier, Vu said basically, punishments for illegal violations on social networks have been prescribed in Vietnam’s laws. The code of conduct gathers rules on behaviours, moral and cultural standards on social networks which are recommended for individuals, organisations and social network service providers. It targets three major groups, including individuals and organisations joining social networks; officials, cadres and employees in State agencies; and social network service providers. It aims to create a healthy social network environment in Vietnam, ensure the right to personal and business freedom, and prevent discrimination between domestic and foreign service suppliers in accordance with international standards, practices and conventions to which Vietnam has joined. At the same time, it is expected to build moral standards for behaviours on social networks, educate social network users about positive habits, helping to create a safe and healthy environment in the country./. VNA …

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