Asia dilemma: social networks pressed by Turkey and Vietnam to censor critics

YouTube and Facebook weigh reputation damage of bowing to repressive governments

20201222N Vietnam Social Media

Human rights activist Le Van Dun, right, livestreams on Facebook in a coffee shop in Hanoi. © Reuters

MOMOKO KIDERA, Nikkei staff writer

ISTANBUL -- Turkey, Vietnam and other emerging Asian countries have ramped up pressure on social media platforms to restrict critical content, with some degree of success.

Google-owned streaming service YouTube said in December that it will set up an office in Turkey, following legislation passed here in July that requires major social media companies to appoint a local representative. This is seen as a way to give teeth to requests to take down posts that authorities deem inappropriate.

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