Thailand tightens social network, media control
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has instructed state management agencies to increase the monitoring of information on social networks and media, especially online newspapers.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha (Photo: AFP/VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has
instructed state management agencies to increase the monitoring of information
on social networks and media, especially online newspapers.
The government said the control aims to prevent the spread of information that may cause social unrest and affect national security.
The updated Computer Crime Act of Thailand stated that people accused of defamation or posting information which damages national security could face 10 years in prison, along with a fine equivalent to 6,000 USD.
Authorised agencies have rights to close websites with contents that jeopardise national security, social order and public moral.
Thailand is estimated to have about 47 million Facebook users, 11 million Instagram and nine million Twitter users. The government has to date spent 3.8 million USD on enhancing online monitoring technology.
This year, local authorities also required social networks such as Facebook and Youtube to block hundreds of accounts accused of posting information that affects national security.-VNA
The government said the control aims to prevent the spread of information that may cause social unrest and affect national security.
The updated Computer Crime Act of Thailand stated that people accused of defamation or posting information which damages national security could face 10 years in prison, along with a fine equivalent to 6,000 USD.
Authorised agencies have rights to close websites with contents that jeopardise national security, social order and public moral.
Thailand is estimated to have about 47 million Facebook users, 11 million Instagram and nine million Twitter users. The government has to date spent 3.8 million USD on enhancing online monitoring technology.
This year, local authorities also required social networks such as Facebook and Youtube to block hundreds of accounts accused of posting information that affects national security.-VNA
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