According to the ministry, alongside positive information and messages of support for people in flood-affected areas, in recent days, some individuals, instead of showing empathy, have taken advantage of the situation to disseminate false information on a continuous basis.
The purpose of these individuals is to distort facts, criticise the authorities and military and security forces in their flood response and recovery efforts. Others exploit the situation by fabricating reports of thousands of deaths or tens of thousands of people not yet rescued in order to attract views and solicit donations for personal gain. These fake news disrupt information flow, complicate the situation, and cause confusion among the public, especially residents in flood-affected areas.
This information spreads very quickly, far beyond the reach of official sources, directly affecting public perception and creating difficulties for the direction and coordination efforts of the forces on the ground, the ministry emphasised.
The Ministry of Public Security advised all Internet users to remain vigilant when viewing and sharing information. It is necessary to strongly condemn acts of spreading false information and exploiting AI to fabricate content that causes public confusion and obstructs the ongoing rescue efforts of the authorities, it stressed, encouraging people to actively share accurate information to help support residents in flood-affected areas through this difficult period.
For acts of directly spreading or assisting in the dissemination of false information, the public security force is implementing coordinated professional and technical measures to detect, scan, and verify such cases. Those who share information out of ignorance will be reminded or penalised according to regulations. Individuals who deliberately spread fake news, distort facts, cause serious consequences, or act with the intent to undermine the authorities will be strictly handled in accordance with the law, including criminal prosecution.
Under current regulations, organisations that publish false, distorted or defamatory information that damages the reputation of agencies or individuals may face administrative fines ranging from 20 - 30 million VND (760 - 1,140 USD).
Individuals who use social networks to provide or share fabricated information, distortions or defamatory content, or circulate unverified claims that cause public anxiety may be fined between 5 - 10 million VND.
Anyone who impersonates an organisation or individual to disseminate fake or misleading content that infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of others may face fines from 10 - 20 million VND.
Police have dismissed the circulating claims, stressing that every citizen has the right to express themselves online, but must also bear responsibility for the information they share. Users are urged to remain alert, verify sources and avoid spreading misleading content that may violate the law.
Penalties for disseminating false information online are stipulated in Article 8 of the 2015 Law on Cyberinformation Security and Article 9 of the 2018 Law on Cybersecurity. Depending on the nature and severity of the violations, offenders may face disciplinary measures, administrative fines or criminal prosecution. If their actions cause damage, they must provide compensation in accordance with the law.
