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| Authorities have sanctioned many individuals for spreading false and misleading information on social media__Photo: https://cand.com.vn |
In February, residents of Times City, one of the largest communities in Hanoi, were shaken by reports circulating on social media that two children had been abducted in broad daylight in the residential complex.
As a well-secured urban area equipped with extensive surveillance cameras and round-the-clock security personnel, Times City is generally considered a safe living environment. The alleged incident therefore triggered widespread anxiety among thousands of residents, particularly families with young children. Within hours, the information spread rapidly across social media platforms, amplified by not a few key opinion leaders (KOLs), generating hundreds of thousands of shares in a wave of escalating public concern.
A similar incident had occurred earlier in Gia Lai province, where a Facebook account under the name My Thien Nguyen claimed that a two-year-old boy had been taken away by two strangers while playing outside his home. The post, accompanied by images and an urgent call for assistance, quickly gained attention, causing widespread concern and prompting thousands of users to share the information.
However, subsequent verification by authorities confirmed that neither of the reported incidents had taken place. No child abduction had occurred in either case.
According to law enforcement agencies, such posts are not merely attempts to attract views or engagement, but often form part of a scenario to defraud the public. The typical tactic involves fabricating emotionally charged stories to prompt widespread sharing. Once the content gains sufficient traction, perpetrators may alter the narrative or publish follow-up posts describing families in desperate circumstances, accompanied by bank account details to solicit donations.
False information, however, does not stop at financial fraud. In many cases, it carries a more insidious and disruptive intent, targeting institutions and undermining public trust.
In March, an individual in Quang Ninh province was fined for posting and sharing false information on social media relating to the People’s Public Security forces. The violator, a resident in Dien Xa commune, posted on her social media account an edited image combining footage of traffic police officers performing their duties with fabricated, inappropriate visuals generated using artificial intelligence (AI), accompanied by misleading captions.
The post quickly attracted significant attention on social media, triggering mixed reactions and further spreading misleading narratives. According to authorities, such content not only distorts facts but also negatively influences public perception, undermining the reputation and credibility of law enforcement agencies.
Disinformation can also pose serious risks at the national level. In recent months, a coordinated cross-border disinformation campaign has targeted Vietnam by spreading fabricated claims on social media that the country was providing emergency aid, even military support, to Iran amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. To enhance reliability, the perpetrators used generative AI to manipulate old footage of humanitarian missions and military exercises, inserting falsified symbols and contextual elements to create the illusion of current events. Such content goes far beyond attempts to attract online attention, it represents a deliberate effort to distort Vietnam’s image and national defence policy.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly issued an official rebuttal, firmly rejecting the claims as entirely fabricated and reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to peace and compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
Proposed fines for creating and spreading fake news
Against this backdrop, the Government is moving to strengthen the legal framework governing online content, with a draft decree putting forward significantly higher sanctions for violations in cyberspace.
As the drafter, the Ministry of Public Security has proposed that individuals who create false or misleading information in cyberspace may face fines ranging from VND 20 million to VND 30 million, considerably higher than current penalties. This proposal is set out in a draft decree on administrative sanctions in the fields of cybersecurity and personal data protection, which is currently open for public opinion.
Notably, the draft introduces, for the first time, a clear categorisation of sanctions based on the nature and severity of violations. Individuals who merely disseminate false information may be subject to fines of VND 10-20 million, while those who directly fabricate content that causes public alarm or disrupts social order would face higher penalties of VND 20-30 million.
The most severe sanctions, ranging between VND 30 million and VND 50 million, would apply to those who establish or administer websites, social media accounts or online groups for the purpose of posting, or facilitating the spread of, violating content.
Compared with existing regulations, this approach reflects a notable shift in the classification of legal responsibility. Under Government Decree 15/2020/ND-CP, similar violations are generally subject to fines of VND 10-20 million, with individuals typically facing half of that amount, i.e., VND 5-10 million, meaning that in practice, the commonly applied level is VND 7.5 million, the average of the fine frame.
In addition to monetary penalties, the draft decree introduces a range of supplementary sanctions and remedial measures. Violators may be subject to the confiscation of exhibits, means and digital accounts, as well as being forced to remove or correct false information and issue public apologies.
In more serious cases, authorities may impose stricter administrative measures, including the revocation of licences for websites and social media platforms, the withdrawal of domain names, and the suspension of business operations for one month to three months for violators.
Strengthening legal safeguards: Are tougher sanctions enough?
While the draft decree marks a significant step towards tightening legal control over false information in cyberspace, an important question arises: Are stricter sanctions alone sufficient? The answer is no since the legal safeguards require not only sanctions but also other remedies.
Initially, it is essential to impose strict and effective penalties on those who create and disseminate false information. At the same time, there is a growing need to hold cross-border social media platforms accountable, requiring them to comply with Vietnam’s law and take responsibility for filtering and removing harmful content.
In addition, mainstream media institutions must play a more proactive role in guiding public opinion and safeguarding the information space. By leveraging advanced AI tools, newsrooms can detect, verify and debunk false content at an early stage.
Finally, and perhaps most critically, lies the crucial role of individual awareness. Each citizen must develop critical thinking and resist being driven by emotion. The principle of “Pause - Think - Verify” should become a fundamental habit.
Ultimately, AI is a double-edged sword. The boundary between a tool that serves society and one that manipulates public perception depends entirely on how it is used. The fight against disinformation is a silent battlefield, requiring not only robust law enforcement and decisive action from authorities, but also resilience of each citizen in the digital age.- (VLLF)
