This regulation is part of Decree 333/2026/ND-CP, issued by the Government and effective from 19/8, which details certain articles and implementation measures of the Cybersecurity Law.

Under point D, clause 4, Article 16, individual accounts, community pages, groups, or content channels may face indefinite display restrictions in Vietnam or permanent suspension in three specific situations.

The first scenario involves posting or disseminating information that infringes upon the national security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The second case applies when an account, page, group, or content channel has been temporarily locked three or more times at the request of competent authorities but continues to be used for activities violating cybersecurity law.

Finally, indefinite suspension may occur if there are grounds to determine that an account, community page, group, or content channel is continuously used as a tool or means to commit cybersecurity law violations, and such a permanent lock is deemed necessary and proportionate to the nature and severity of the offense.

Social media accounts require verification before posting or sharing information. *Photo: Pham Hai*

Three violations do not automatically lead to a 60-day suspension

Before indefinite measures are applied, Decree 333 also outlines specific thresholds for handling repeated violations.

Specifically, if an individual account, community page, group, or content channel posts information violating cybersecurity law three or more times within 30 days, it will face display restrictions in Vietnam or a temporary lock for up to 60 days, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Should such content be posted 10 or more times within 90 days, the display restriction or temporary lock period can extend up to 180 days, again determined by the violation's nature and severity.

Therefore, reaching the three or 10-time thresholds does not automatically result in an account being locked for the full 60 or 180 days; the exact duration remains contingent on the violation's nature and severity.

Similarly, posting violating information three times within 30 days does not automatically trigger an indefinite suspension. For this measure to be applied under repeat violation conditions, an account must have already faced temporary locks three or more times at the request of competent authorities, yet persists in violating cybersecurity law.

Indefinite suspensions may be reviewed for restoration

Under the Decree, accounts facing indefinite suspension may be considered for restoration if the grounds for the measure no longer exist, an error occurred during verification or processing, new circumstances alter the basis for the measure, or the competent authority determines the account was not used for violating activities.

Beyond display restrictions and account suspensions, Decree 333 introduces additional requirements aimed at enhancing safety, transparency, and accountability across the internet.

Key provisions include: user account verification, providing information for verification and investigation, data storage within Vietnam, IP address management and identification, and coordinated efforts to address violating content.

These regulations are expected to safeguard users, curb fraud and misuse of cyberspace, and enhance the accountability of platforms and service providers.

Pham Hai