Recently, Zalo has issued a series of controversial personal data collection terms. If users do not agree with the terms of the agreement offered by Zalo, they will not be able to continue using the service.
Before this move, the National Competition Commission (Ministry of Industry and Trade) sent an invitation to VNG Group Joint Stock Company, regarding the collection, use of user information and provision of services on the Zalo platform.
The working session is expected to take place on the morning of December 31, 2025, to clarify information serving state management of consumer protection" - the National Competition Commission said.
The National Competition Commission requests VNG to coordinate reporting and providing many groups of information and documents directly related to individual users. First of all, basic legal information of the enterprise, including legal status, VNG's role in owning, managing, and operating the Zalo platform in Vietnam, as well as the user group of this platform.
At the same time, provide all documents and materials related to the Zalo usage terms currently applied to individual users in Vietnam; versions of the usage terms that have been applied in the last 12 months. For each version, please clarify the time of promulgation, the time of effectiveness and the form of announcement to users.
The National Competition Commission also requested VNG to provide information and documents related to the amendment and update of usage terms, including: How to notify users, requesting users to accept new terms and the consequences arising in case users do not accept the updated content.
Provide all current documents and materials regulating the collection, processing, storage, sharing and protection of Zalo user information.
In case the Company does not issue a separate document on the policy of protecting Zalo user information, it is requested to clarify the form of expression, the posting location and how users can access and fully understand the content related to their personal data" - the National Competition Commission clearly stated.
In addition to the above contents, the National Competition Commission also requested VNG to report on how to organize, operate and provide services to individual users on the online environment; the process of providing information to users throughout the service use process; the choices that users are given when accepting or not accepting terms and policies related to personal information...
