Findings of Việt Nam's TikTok Operations Inspection Revealed, Uncovering Numerous Violations
HANOI — On Thursday, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) released the findings of its investigation into TikTok’s operations in Vietnam, focusing on social network services, advertising, copyright, e-commerce, and taxes. Lê Quang Tự Do, the director general of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the MIC, stated that the investigation revealed TikTok Pte. Ltd (TikTok Singapore) as the entity responsible for providing and managing cross-border services in Vietnam, rather than TikTok Technologies Vietnam Co. Ltd. and the Representative Office of TikTok Pte. Ltd in HCM City.
The TikTok representative office, authorized by TikTok Singapore, is held accountable for violations related to e-commerce platforms on the application, in accordance with Vietnamese laws. The inspection teams reported that TikTok Singapore has violated regulations regarding information storage at content distribution networks in Vietnam, including the dissemination of false information, incitement of violations, social evils, and harmful content targeting children.
The company’s content assessment process is deemed inadequate, leading to the distribution of illegal content through the app’s algorithms. TikTok Singapore has also failed to implement safety measures or issue warning messages to protect children’s privacy, detect and remove harmful content, and protect users’ copyrighted content. The company has not disclosed the person in charge of copyright matters to the authorities or on its platform. In terms of e-commerce services, TikTok Singapore has not complied with Decree No 17/2022/NĐ-CP, which requires the publication of information about the application’s owner, proper storage of sellers’ information, and assessments to ensure accurate information about showcased goods.
The inspection teams have recommended that TikTok Singapore remove all content violating Vietnamese laws, prevent reposting of such content, comply with local laws in its community guidelines, and provide information to address violations on the platform. Measures to protect children’s privacy and development, such as age verification, removal of accounts for children under 13, time limits for users under 18, and age warnings for videos, are also advised. The teams have suggested the development of a separate app for children.
Furthermore, TikTok’s legal representatives in Vietnam should be authorized for content assessment to effectively collaborate with government agencies. The Ministry of Public Security is urged to require TikTok Singapore to store Vietnamese users’ data and authorize its legal representatives in the country to ensure cybersecurity in line with national laws. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is recommended to address violations in e-commerce services related to taxes and illegal goods, remove such goods and their information within 24 hours of receiving requests from authorities, and enhance the company’s responsibilities in handling disputes and complaints on its TikTok Shop in the Vietnamese market.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs should strengthen coordination with the MIC to safeguard children in the digital space. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will collaborate with the MIC to improve the management of individuals working in arts and performances and monitor copyright issues on the platform. The Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information has engaged with representatives from TikTok Singapore following the announcement of the inspection results. TikTok Technologies Vietnam Co. Ltd. and the Representative Office of TikTok Pte. Ltd in HCM City have also cooperated with authorities and will submit a report to the MIC within 30 days.