From new laws limiting data transfers across borders in Vietnam to Meta extending ban on new political ads past elections, here’s everything we covered at Digital Rights Monitor (DRM) this week.
Read our weekly news roundup.
VIETNAM: New law to hinder social media platforms, tech firms warn
Tech companies based in the United States (US) have raised concerns that a proposed new law in Vietnam aimed at tightening data protection and limiting data transfers abroad would hinder social media platforms.
The draft law would impede data centre operators from expanding their businesses in the country, tech firms complain. Vietnam is one of the world’s largest markets for Facebook.
Jason Oxman, chairperson of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), which also represents Meta, says that the planned law “will make it challenging for tech companies, social media platforms and data centre operators to reach the customers that rely on them daily”.
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US: Meta extending ban on new political ads after elections
Meta’s ban on new election ads on Facebook and Instagram will continue after the election day in the United States (US), according to an official blog post.
The company has extended the ban past Tuesday, November 5, which was originally the suspension date for the ban. It is unclear, however, when the ban will be lifted. The company has stated that the ban will continue “until later this week”.
“Consistent with our approach during the United States elections in 2020 and 2022, we are implementing a 2024 restriction period for ads about social issues, elections or politics,” says Meta, adding that advertisers will not be able to create or run new ads US during that time.
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SOUTH KOREA: Meta fined for ‘illegal’ data collection
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has been fined $15 million by South Korean authorities for collecting private information of users and sharing it with advertisers.
The illegally collected data, including religious and political views, was gathered from Facebook and shared with thousands of advertisers, according to the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC).
Meta has been under intense regulatory glare in South Korea for its handling of personal information of users. The $15 million penalty arrives in conclusion to a four-year investigation, which reportedly impacted 980,000 Facebook users.
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AUSTRALIA: Social media ban proposed for children
The Australian government is planning a legislative framework that would ban social media use for children aged under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday.
Australia is testing an age-verification system aimed at preventing children from accessing social media platforms. This initiative is part of a series of measures that represent some of the strictest controls put in place by any country so far.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese said at a press conference. “I want parents to be able to say: ‘Sorry, mate, it’s against the law’.”
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