Facebook Denies Allowing Illegal Content in Vietnam

The logo for Facebook appears in March 2018 on screens at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York's Times Square. Photo: Richard Drew / Associated Press
The logo for Facebook appears in March 2018 on screens at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York's Times Square. Photo: Richard Drew / Associated Press

HANOI — Facebook is defending itself against allegations it allows illegal content in violation of Vietnam’s cybersecurity law.

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The social media giant said Wednesday that it had a clear process for reporting and handling content that violates the law. The company said it had restricted illegal content and was in discussions with the government.

The comments were in response to state media reports that the Ministry of Information and Communication has complained that Facebook was allowing users to upload slanderous content and anti-government comments, among other alleged violations of a cybersecurity law that took effect Jan. 1.

The law requires service providers such as Google and Facebook operating in Communist-ruled Vietnam to store user data, open offices in the country and remove offending contents within 24 hours if requested by the authorities.

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