Vietnam tightens control over cybercafes
HANOI - Vietnam has issued regulations allowing Internet service providers (ISPs) to suspend contracts with cybercafes that allow clients to access pornographic sites or those deemed to threaten national security.
Under instructions signed by Post and Telecommunications Minister Do Trung Ta on Monday, ISPs have the right to suspend contracts of Internet cafe owners if they facilitate or intentionally conceal their clients' access to such sites.
Internet cafe owners were also asked to look out for any violations of government regulations by customers.
The regulations are the latest ones in a string of recent measures by various government agencies aimed at cracking down on "bad information" circulated over the Internet.
The move comes after the communist country sentenced several dissidents to long prison terms over the past two years for using the Internet to criticise the government and promote democracy.
Under regulations put out by the ministries of Public Security and Culture and Information earlier this year, cybercafe owners can be fined or jailed for allowing clients to use the Internet to download or send information deemed inappropriate by the government.
Cybercafe owners are also required to document which websites their clients visit, and all users must present identification cards before logging on.
There are an estimated 5,000 cybercafes in Vietnam. About four million people out of Vietnam's population of 81 million regularly use the Internet.
The Associated Press - July 21, 2004.
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