Facebook was defending itself on Wednesday against allegations that it allows illegal content in violation of Vietnam’s new cyber security law.
The social media giant said it has restricted illegal content and is in discussions with the government.
“We have a clear process for governments to report illegal content to us, and we review all those requests against our terms of service and local law,” the company said in a statement.
“We are transparent about the content restrictions we make in accordance with local law in our Transparency Report ,” it said.
The comments were in response to Vietnamese media reports that the Ministry of Information and Communication had complained Facebook was allowing users to upload slanderous content and anti-government comments, among other alleged violations of a cyber security law that took effect January 1.
The law requires service providers such as Google and Facebook operating in Vietnam to store user data locally, open local offices and remove offending content within 24 hours if requested by the authorities.
Facebook has found itself caught between such local requirements in countries like China and Vietnam that restrict political dissent and its identity as a United States (US) company that says it strives to give free expression maximum possible range.
The company’s Transparency Report shows the number of items of restricted illegal content had risen in the second half of last year over the previous six months. It said that included items related to illegal sales of wildlife and other products, cases of impersonation of a user to spread false information and alleged defamation of some products and people.