The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), which has vowed to put livestream activities into a regulatory framework, is drafting a decree on managing, providing and using internet services.

The draft says only social networks which have a license (domestic organizations and businesses), or report their operations to MIC (foreign organizations and businesses providing cross-border services to Vietnam) will be allowed to provide livestream services.

The livestreams with content related to specialized fields must comply with legal regulations designed for the fields. In addition, only users who have provided complete and accurate personal information according to regulations can livestream on social networks.

Nguyen Lac Huy, manager of Schannel Network, agrees with the watchdog agency that there should be detailed regulations to control livestream activities. 

“There must be sanctions on violators to prevent wrongdoings and help the development of the market,” Huy said, adding that in handling violations on the internet, instead of imposing fines in cash, state management agencies need to use additional sanctions stiff enough to deter violators. For example, violators will have to do community service.

The administrator of an omni-channel network in Vietnam said he believes that putting livestream activities under control is a necessity, and this should have been done earlier. 

He said creators often face risks because of the lack of detailed regulations. The draft decree on governing livestream activities can set a foundation for other policies to rule the market effectively. This will force platforms to be more responsible in protecting content creators’ benefits.

He also emphasized the need to build a legal framework that is clear and understandable, to create favorable conditions for the digital content service market to develop. However, he said there should be sandbox, a mechanism that allows a policy on a trial basis.

According to Nguyen Dang Quynh, the founder of Vitamin Network, which is administering many well-known accounts such as Tieu Man Thau, Hoa Hau Via He, Em Ly Review and Mo Khoet Hanoi, the ad network have registered identifications for all the accounts of the system before the proposals on management tightening are made.

“We commit to transmit only active and authenticated contents, so that users can receive helpful information and be sure about fair competition,” Quynh said

Quynh said that the identification requirement and the tightening of livestream management will help restrict sale of counterfeit and low-quality goods. This will benefit the platforms providing livestream services, omni-channel networks and true content creators as well.

Trong Dat