Vietnam government to consider new internet rules
HANOI - The Vietnamese government may be set to open the Internet sector with draft proposals advocating fewer
restrictions on Internet service provision, while laws punishing hackers and virus-spreaders also are on the
table.
Vietnam's telecom regulator, the Department General of Posts and Telecommunications (DGPT), recently
submitted proposals for a draft government decree on the provision of Internet services.
Currently, only state telecom enterprises and government-controlled joint ventures with the private sector have
been allowed to offer Internet access in Vietnam.
The draft proposals recommend opening the local Net access market to competition between private Internet
service providers.
Also on the drawing board is permission for Vietnamese Internet companies to offer services to overseas
customers, and for Vietnamese businesses to opt for Internet service providers based outside Vietnam.
The DGPT recommends the Vietnamese government set up a legal framework to provide privacy and
copyright protections to business and personal users.
The proposals also suggest government agencies make use of the Internet, and encourage education, health and
research establishments to do the same.
There are penalties to be introduced for misuse of the Internet, including for hacking into computers, spreading
viruses, and for ISPs who don't meet a set quality of service.
Fines for hacking and password cracking via Trojan horse programs would range from 10 million to 20 million
dong ($682 to $1,365), according to the draft proposals.
The same fines would also be levied for breaking Vietnamese Internet content regulations - "spreading
information and images that have a negative impact and violating the law."
Those creating and launching damaging viruses on to the Internet would suffer harsher fines between 20 million
and 50 million Vietnamese dong ($1,365 and $3,412).
The biggest fines would be reserved for hackers who "disturb and destroy" computer systems or databases -
50 million to 70 million dong ($3,412 to $4,776).
New ISPs who fail to provide or temporarily cease Internet access to paying customers without telling them
would be subject to fines of 5 million to 10 million dong ($341 to $682). Those that fail to meet quality of
service standards will be slapped with financial penalties between 10 million and 20 million dong ($682 and
$1,365).
By Adam Creed - Newsbytes - June 13, 2001.
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