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In a significant move to bolster personal data protection, the Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City People’s Committee has introduced a comprehensive plan aimed at safeguarding citizens’ rights to privacy and addressing the growing illicit trade of personal data within the city. This initiative comes in response to escalating concerns about data security in an increasingly digital society.
The plan emphasises proactive measures to detect and prevent unauthorised transfers and sales of personal data. It also includes stringent penalties for data privacy violations, reflecting the city’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens. Authorities recognise that protecting personal data is essential for individual privacy and for maintaining public trust in digital services and governance.
One core element of the plan is implementing extensive public awareness campaigns. These campaigns will educate residents about their rights regarding data privacy and the responsibilities tied to data collection and processing. All agencies, units, and localities within HCM City will participate to ensure a unified approach to data protection.
This educational outreach is critical, as many citizens may not fully understand the risks associated with data privacy or the steps they can take to protect their information.
Organisations, businesses, and individuals involved in personal data collection and processing will be required to conduct thorough audits of their data holdings. This includes classifying data by sensitivity and implementing appropriate security measures.
The plan mandates that these entities review their data processing procedures, ensuring they implement controls aligned with the scale of their activities. This approach aims to foster a culture of accountability and vigilance among those handling personal data.
In addition to these proactive measures, the plan outlines severe penalties for unauthorised transfers or sales of personal data. This strict enforcement is intended to deter potential violators and to underscore the serious nature of data privacy violations. The city’s authorities are aware that effective penalties are essential for ensuring compliance and protecting citizens from data breaches.
The urgency of these measures is underscored by recent statistics from the Authority of Information Safety (AIS), which reported a significant rise in cyberattacks across Vietnam, particularly ransomware. In these attacks, cybercriminals seise and encrypt data, demanding ransom payments for its release. AIS reported over 2,330 attacks on information systems during the first quarter of 2024, resulting in severe disruptions and posing substantial threats to national cybersecurity.
In 2023, Vietnam experienced a staggering total of 13,900 cyberattacks, averaging approximately 1,160 incidents per month – a notable 9.5% increase from the previous year. These attacks have primarily targeted critical infrastructure, including government agencies, financial institutions, educational organisations, banking systems, and industrial sectors.
Ransomware attacks have particularly devastating consequences. Reports indicate that around 83,000 computers and servers were attacked by data encryption malware in 2023, marking an 8.4% increase from the previous year. The last quarter of 2023 saw a significant 23% increase in ransomware incidents compared to the average of the preceding three quarters.
Hackers exploit security vulnerabilities in organisational platforms and self-developed websites to change and steal data, while also embedding hidden links to illegal content such as gambling advertisements. Alarmingly, the leakage of personal data and online fraud is rising sharply in Vietnam, with stolen sensitive information being traded extensively on dark web forums.
HCM City’s new plan represents a crucial step toward enhancing personal data protection and ensuring the privacy of its citizens in an increasingly digital world. By implementing robust measures and fostering a culture of awareness and compliance, the city aims to create a safer environment for its residents amid evolving digital threats. As HCM City moves forward with these initiatives, it sets a precedent for other regions to prioritise data security and the protection of citizen rights.
