CHAPTER II Information Technology Application SECTION I General Provisions on Information Technology Application Article 13 General principles for information technology application activities 1. Organizations and individuals shall be entitled to carry out information technology application activities in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws. 2. The State encourages information technology application to activities in socio-economic sectors, foreign affairs or national defence and security; and to activities of prevention and fighting of floods, storms, natural disasters and other catastrophes, salvage, rescue and other activities. 3. Organizations and individuals conducting telecommunications, broadcasting or television activities in the network environment must abide by the law on telecommunications and press and this Law. Article 14 1. 2. Priority given to information technology application in emergencies The authorized State body shall decide to mobilize all or part of the information infrastructure in order to prioritize the technology application in using such information infrastructure in any of the following emergency circumstances: (a) Serving prevention and fighting of flood, storm, fire, natural disaster or any other catastrophe; (b) Serving to give fist aid and to prevent and control epidemics; (c) Serving salvage and rescue; (d) Serving national defence and security, maintenance of social order and safety, and prevention and fighting of crime. The Government shall make specific regulations on prioritized information technology application in emergencies. Article 15 Management and use of digital information 1. Organizations and individuals shall be entitled to freely use digital information for legitimate purposes consistent with law. 2. The authorized State body shall be responsible to take measures to ensure convenient access to and use of digital information. 3. The supply, exchange, transmission, storage and use of digital information must not violate the provisions of article 12.2 of this Law and other relevant laws. © Allens Arthur Robinson - Vietnam Laws Online Database on www.vietnamlaws.com 7