Vietnam Mandates Prior Notification for Livestreams and Filming in Public Spaces

Vietnam is poised to introduce new regulations concerning video content creation in public spaces. Notably, it has been indicated through reporting by The Saigon Times that prior notification will be mandated for individuals who may appear in livestreams and video recordings conducted in areas such as pedestrian streets and parks. This regulation is presumed to stem from growing concerns over privacy infringements, exacerbated by the increasing volume of online content production in recent years. With the widespread adoption of social media in Vietnam, more citizens are engaging in activities like sharing their experiences online and livestreaming events. However, instances where these activities inadvertently violate others' privacy have been noted, prompting the government to seek legal frameworks for control. The Vietnamese government, operating under a one-party system, tends to strengthen regulations in the digital sphere while balancing social order maintenance with the protection of citizens' rights. While this measure could be viewed as part of information control, it also represents an effort to address the challenge of safeguarding individual rights in an era of rapid digitalization. Upon implementation, content creators will likely be required to follow a process of informing and obtaining consent from individuals who might be captured on camera, in addition to notifying the management of the filming location. This may present practical challenges, particularly for filming in public areas frequented by tourists and large numbers of people. Vietnam's economy continues to experience robust growth, with significant advancements in its digital economy. In this context, balancing freedom of expression, privacy protection, and social order maintenance—elements that could potentially conflict—will be a crucial issue for Vietnamese society moving forward.