WPP Fined in Vietnam for Running Ads with China's Illegal South China Sea Claim

WPP, a global advertising company, has been fined VND55 million (US$2,160) by the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information in Vietnam. The fine was imposed for placing advertisements on YouTube that featured China's illegal U-shaped line claim over the South China Sea, as well as for advertising unapproved cosmetic products.

The U-shaped line, also known as the nine-dash line, is used by China to claim sovereignty over vast areas of the South China Sea, including territory claimed by Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations. This claim has been internationally rejected and condemned. Vietnam has consistently opposed China's use of the U-shaped line to assert its claims in the disputed waters.

In response to the violation, WPP acknowledged the shortcomings of YouTube's algorithms in preventing such content. The company stated that it will join the Vietnamese government's 'white list' initiative to ensure brand safety and avoid future incidents. The information ministry in Vietnam has published a black list of pages with toxic content that companies should avoid partnering with, along with a white list of verified pages deemed safe for advertising.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the need for companies to be vigilant about the content they associate with in advertising. It also underscores Vietnam's firm stance against China's territorial claims and its efforts to combat the spread of misinformation and illegal content online.

A representative from the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information emphasized that "Vietnam will not tolerate any form of propaganda or advertising that violates our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Companies operating in Vietnam must respect our laws and regulations." WPP has pledged to strengthen its content review processes and work closely with Vietnamese authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Key Takeaways

• WPP fined $2,160 for ads featuring China's illegal U-shaped line claim in Vietnam.
• Vietnam opposes China's use of U-shaped line to assert claims in disputed waters.
• Vietnam publishes blacklist and whitelist to combat misinformation and illegal content online.
• WPP to join Vietnam's whitelist initiative and strengthen content review processes.
• Vietnam will not tolerate any propaganda or advertising that violates its sovereignty.