HANOI: Vietnamese legislators have passed a contentious cybersecurity law, which critics say will hurt the economy and further restrict freedom of expression.
The Communist Party-dominated assembly passed the law by a majority on today. The law requires service providers such as Google and Facebook to store user data in
Vietnam, open offices in the country and remove offending contents within 24 hours at the request of authorities.
Addressing the assembly before the vote, the chairman of the
Committee on Defense and Security says the law is necessary to defend the interests of the people and national security.
The US has called on Vietnam to delay the passage of legislation. The
Vietnam Digital Communications Association says the law may reduce GDP by 1.7 percent and wipe out foreign investment by 3.1 percent.
Members of Vietnam parliament attend a session voting to approve a cyber security law in Hanoi (AFP File Photo)