Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information Reports Surge in Digital Oversight and Enforcement
On the afternoon of June 24, the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information convened to review its operational performance for the first half of 2026 and outline strategic objectives for the remainder of the year. Deputy Director Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen reported a significant escalation in regulatory activity, noting that the agency processed over 300 reports of violations in the electronic information sector—a nearly tenfold increase compared to the same period in 2025. This surge in enforcement reflects the agency’s intensified scrutiny of social media operations, where it issued multiple administrative sanctions and revoked 65 operating licenses from organizations that failed to meet compliance requirements or remediation deadlines.
The agency’s crackdown extended into the realms of online advertising and digital commerce, where it collaborated with the National Competition Commission and the Department of Cyber Security (A05) to address systemic non-compliance. These efforts resulted in the fining of various enterprises and influencers for lack of advertising transparency, alongside the systematic blocking of 494 domain names flagged for illegal activity. Furthermore, proactive measures were taken to tighten the digital landscape, with the Authority conducting high-level working sessions with global giants like Google, Meta, and TikTok to ensure more aggressive removal of malicious or non-compliant digital content.
In the highly scrutinized sector of online electronic games, the Authority achieved a notable 99% success rate in removing unauthorized content from major app stores within a 48-hour window. By partnering with the Vietnam Game Alliance and local security forces, officials successfully disabled 690 violating games on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, while simultaneously obstructing access to 245 websites dedicated to unlicensed gambling and unauthorized gaming services. Domestic service providers were not spared from this regulatory tightening, as the agency imposed substantial fines and suspended the G1 licenses of companies found in breach of national operating standards.
The Authority also highlighted significant progress in its ongoing battle against harmful content on cross-border platforms, with average removal rates now exceeding 94%. TikTok, in particular, has accelerated its response time to within 3–12 hours, a marked improvement from the previous 24-hour baseline, while also introducing AI-driven content identification labels. Similarly, YouTube and Meta reported record numbers of removals, with YouTube purging nearly 13,000 videos and Meta extending its moderation reach to the Threads platform. The Vietnam Center for Handling Fake News and Toxic Information served as a critical frontline, processing over 1,200 reports involving financial fraud, misinformation, and illicit gaming.
During the conference’s dialogue segment, industry stakeholders and enterprise representatives engaged in productive discussions regarding the evolving challenges of digital copyright and advertising ethics. These exchanges underscored the complexity of managing an increasingly fragmented digital ecosystem. The Authority affirmed its commitment to fostering an open, transparent space for dialogue, ensuring that businesses and agencies remain aligned on the responsibilities inherent in operating within Vietnam’s digital infrastructure.
Concluding the session, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Phan Tam articulated a necessary shift in regulatory philosophy, moving from traditional content moderation to holistic ecosystem management. He emphasized that the agency must now focus on navigating the impacts of algorithms and platform-driven social dynamics. Moving forward, the Deputy Minister called for a “development-creating” mindset that leverages technology and collaborative diplomacy over mere enforcement, aiming to cultivate a digital environment that promotes positive values while maintaining a firm legal foundation for all participants.