Vietnam ramps up pressure on Google's YouTube advertisers

Vietnam has asked firms to stop advertising on Google's YouTube videos that contain "anti-state propaganda".

"Google was found to loosely manage its content, allowing users to buy ads directly from YouTube and Google without the involvement of domestic ad agents," the state media said.

The country's information ministry said several companies, including Samsung Electronics, Huawei Technologies, Yamaha Motors and ride-sharing app Grab, had advertised on videos containing "illegal and malicious content". 

Out of the 55,000 YouTube videos the ministry deemed "harmful", 8,000 have been deleted. 

A controversial law on cybersecurity took effect earlier this year, requiring firms to set up offices in Vietnam and store data there.