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Confusion reigns in Vietnam as decree to ban news sharing in social media comes into force

This is now illegal in Vietnam

This is now illegal in Vietnam

Restrictions on the sharing of news stories in social media came into force in Vietnam yesterday.

However, some officials have said that the restrictions will not mean an outright ban on social news sharing, which has caused widespread confusion among internet users.

Critics also wonder how the rules could effectively be enforced.

The new rules – known as Decree 72 – have been seen as a move to control sensitive news being discussed on websites that are not owned by the state, such as Facebook and Twitter.

The decree was heavily criticised by free-press groups both in and outside of Vietnam when it was announced a month ago.

Decree 72 forbids social media users from quoting “general information” and “information from newspapers, press agencies or other state-owned websites”.

Social media users can now only “provide or exchange personal information,” AFP has reported.

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