Selling shared YouTube, Netflix, Spotify accounts can result in a fine of VND 50 million

The proposal stated in the draft Decree on Cyber ​​Security and Personal Data Protection, which is being consulted by the Ministry of Public Security, belongs to the group of violations: using cyberspace and information technology to violate social order but not to the extent of criminal prosecution.

Specifically, the act of “trading shared accounts of digital content services against the provider’s regulations” can be fined from 25 to 50 million VND. The illegal business of Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube Premium services is mentioned directly, as a way to illustrate the new draft regulations.

In fact, buying and selling shared digital accounts is quite popular with Vietnamese Internet users. Many individuals buy paid service packages, then divide them into parts to resell at lower prices, attracting users. However, most digital content platforms have their own regulations regarding account sharing, and reselling in this form is usually not allowed.

The business of shared accounts also raises issues about digital content copyright. Commenting on the issue, the drafting agency said that copyright infringement in the fields of computer software, digital music copyright, digital film, television, copyright, and works “reduces Vietnam’s economic competitiveness”.

This behavior is grouped with many other violations such as organizing illegal online gambling, providing information technology services infringing on copyright, filming, streaming, advertising prostitution, pornography, debauchery, posting information about buying and selling prohibited goods such as drugs, weapons, human body parts…

In addition to fines, the draft also proposes additional handling measures. Violating individuals and organizations may have their exhibits and vehicles confiscated; forced recall or destruction of products and equipment; stop providing the violating service. The violator must also be forced to repay or return the illegal profits obtained from the violation.

The draft also provides sanctions for many acts related to digital accounts, especially accounts with financial transaction functions.

Selling, giving away, renting, lending, or letting others illegally use your account can result in a fine of 10-20 million VND. This regulation applies to electronic identity accounts, bank accounts, bank cards, e-wallet accounts, mobile money accounts, securities accounts, digital asset trading accounts and other types of digital accounts with financial transaction functions.

Illegally collecting, storing, trading or exchanging data and digital account information of others can be fined 20-30 million VND. Higher fines, from 70 to 100 million VND, apply to acts such as opening accounts with fake information or opening accounts for people on the banned list.

The new regulations were developed to specify the Law on Cyber ​​Security 2025, perfecting the legal basis for sanctioning violations in the digital environment. The draft decree includes 4 chapters, 77 articles, ranging from ensuring social order and safety in cyberspace, preventing cyber attacks, managing cyber security products, controlling spam, spam messages, digital content services, to protecting personal data. Applicable subjects are for organizations and individuals both at home and abroad.

According to the drafting agency, the decree will contribute to improving the efficiency of state management, ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals in cyberspace.