The probe into the cross-border social network was launched last month

HÀ NỘI – Findings of the investigation into TikTok's operations in Việt Nam are expected to be announced in July, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyễn Thanh Lâm said on Monday at the ministry’s monthly press briefing.

The probe into the cross-border social network was launched last month after there emerged reports on TikTok account holders arbitrarily using private and personal images to spread fake news, smears and insults to others.

Lâm said that authorities have clues to identify TikTok’s violations and they are further verified following legal regulations.

According to the ministry, the status of livestreams advertising pornographic and gambling applications on social networking platforms has been taking place increasingly and blatantly. There have been a lot of reports on clips featuring online gangster content available on YouTube, or service vehicles carrying advertisements for gambling websites.

Regarding the issue, Deputy Minister Lâm emphasised the ministry and relevant authorities are taking measures to prevent it.

Besides the inspection and detection of violations, the ministry released a set of messages in content management on cross-border social networking platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. 

The ministry also calls for providing information, particularly legal regulations, to content creators in Việt Nam and abroad who are expected to join in creating a healthy social networking environment and removing dirty content.

From April 15 to May 15, at a request of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Facebook blocked and removed 399 posts with false information and anti-State content, accounting for 91 per cent of the requests; Google removed 1,901 videos on YouTube, accounting for 94 per cent; and TikTok blocked and removed 51 links, accounting for 98 per cent. – VNS