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Vietnam Lam, a noodle seller in Danang. Bui posted in 2021 a Facebook video of himself sprinkling spring onions on a bowl of noodles in a manner that parodied famous Turkish chef, Nusret Gökçe, whom the world knows as “Salt Bae”. The video was considered as offensive because some high-ranking Vietnamese officials visited Salt Bae’s restaurant in London. One of the officials is the minister of Public Security who became the 13th President of Vietnam in May 2024, To Lam, who ordered a gold-leaf encrusted steak costing around 2,000 USD411. The meal’s price caused a backlash from the public, who questioned how To could afford such a luxurious steak when his monthly salary was only around 660 USD 412. Bui was summoned by the police shortly after posting the video and was later arrested in September 2022 for violating Article 117 of the Criminal Code413. As he is also known for his human rights activism and charity work, police claimed that Bui regularly used social media to post stories, videos, and livestreams that “distort the guidelines and policies of the CPV and state and promoting 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 activities against the party and state of Vietnam.”414 In May 2023, he was sentenced to five and a half years in prison 415. His family members were also reportedly to have been physically assaulted by the police while waiting outside the court during the trial416. Similarly, business tycoon, Nguyen Phuong Hang, was sentenced in September 2023 to three years imprisonment under the Article 331 of the Criminal Code for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state, lawful rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens”417. This is due to her livestreams on YouTube and TikTok which alleged that many celebrities, journalists, and politicians were not transparent about charity money that they received. Among those whom she criticized was Phan Van Mai, a member of the Central Executive Committee of the CPV and the chairperson of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee. Nguyen was arrested two days after criticizing Phan in her livestream in 2022418. “Vietnamese Find Top Cop’s Pricey London Steak Dinner Hard to Stomach.” Radio Free Asia, 4 Nov. 2021, www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/london-steak-11042021200233.html. Ibid. “Vietnam: Police Summon Noodle Seller After Salt Bae Parody.” BBC News, 7 Sep. 2022, www.bbc.com/ news/world-asia-59328904. “Vietnamese Noodle Vendor Arrested by Police Over Video and Social Media Posts.” Radio Free Asia, 7 Sept. 2022, www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/bui-tuan-lam-09072022173329.html. “Vietnamese Activist Known as ‘Onion Bae’ Sentenced to 5 ½ Years in Prison.” Radio Free Asia, 24 May 2023, www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/onion-bae-sentence-05242023211730.html. Ibid. “Nguyen Phuong Hang Was Sentenced to Three Years in Prison.” Radio Free Asia, 21 Sept. 2023, www.rfa. org/vietnamese/news/vietnamnews/ceo-nguyen-phuong-hang-stands-trial-facing-3-to-4-years-in-prison-09212023091431.html. “Prosecutors Proceed With Case Against Vietnamese Influencer.” Radio Free Asia, 30 Jan. 2023, www.rfa. org/english/news/vietnam/vietnam-influencer-prosecuted-01302023224447.html. 107

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

Report

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions

Author(s)

DigitalReach

Date Published: Aug 6, 2024

Abstract: It is undeniable that information technology has significantly impacted human rights and democracy these days. Different governments around Southeast Asia continually attempt to control digital space through, for example, using repressive laws and regulations, forcing social media platforms to follow their orders, and using spyware and similar technology to surveil critics. In Southeast Asia, democracy and human rights have deteriorated because of these attempts, especially for countries under authoritarian regimes.

In order to better understand the situation, DigitalReach publishes annual reports to present and analyze the events and trends around the region. The 2023 annual report analyzes the digital rights situation in eight countries across Southeast Asia—namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam–from January 2023 to December 2023, with glimpses of key updates into 2024, given the timing of its release.

The report format has been changed completely from the previous years. In order to more systematically present the developments observed, the report is organized into three key areas: (1) Legal and Policy Developments, (2) Information Control and Manipulation, and (3) Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition.

From a regional perspective, legal and policy developments in countries that are known to restrict human rights are still mainly about using or coming up with new policies to further suppress human rights in the digital sphere. Countries considered to be more democratic also attempt to change or repeal their laws, but still without a clear sign of improvement toward digital rights.

In terms of information control and manipulation, social media platforms continue to be deployed for political ends, with different platforms serving a specific purpose for each country. The shift toward short video format, TikTok in particular, continued from 2022 to contribute toward information disorder, especially during election periods. The use of video shorts is important when targeting young voters, who played an important role in determining election results in Thailand and Indonesia this year like they did in the Philippines and Malaysia in 2022. State-sponsored cyber armies were also documented, while some governments preferred to assert more effective control of social media platforms. Other important methods related to the flow of information include suppression of media freedom and internet disruptions, which are particularly severe in Myanmar following the 2021 coup.

Judicial harassment is a key form of threat used against critics and political opposition in 2023. It is still common for people in Southeast Asia to be thrown in jail for what they say or do online. Others who do not subscribe to the government’s ideology face online harassment from state-sponsored cyber armies or government supporters. In terms of surveillance, 5 out of 8 countries included in this report have been found to have or are likely to have spyware technology.

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2023-Annual-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
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Myanmar Internet Project

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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