Fake news and the real threat to national security.

The problem of fake news, which aims to distort the truth, is significantly impacting the political and social lives of many countries around the world, and even directly threatening national security.

During the failed coup attempt by the opposition in Venezuela on April 30, President Nicolas Maduro denied US reports that he planned to flee to Cuba but was persuaded by Russia to stay in Venezuela. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, this information was fabricated. Speaking to CNN, Zakharova emphasized: "Washington has done everything it can to undermine the Venezuelan military and is now using fake news as part of its information war."

Also in April, following the bloody terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of people, Sri Lankan government officials announced they would block major social media sites and messaging apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp. The decision was implemented nationwide in Sri Lanka to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumors that fueled panic surrounding the bombings.

Fake news on the internet, which about 10 years ago was usually just humorous or fictional creations, is now a strong contender for the title of one of the "most influential factors" in society.

With 64 million internet users, accounting for 67% of the population, by the end of 2018, Vietnam ranked among the top 10 countries with the most social media users in the world. Smart devices have become commonplace and familiar, integrated into the daily lives, studies, and work of most people.

Alongside the immense benefits, we are also facing numerous significant risks and challenges from cyberspace, even threatening national security and social order. These include the negative impacts of harmful and malicious information spread online, as well as the problem of fake news. At a recent conference in Hanoi, representatives from the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department of the Ministry of Public Security stated that the current problem of fake news is causing serious concern, is complex, and directly affects the public.

In fact, a series of incidents involving the dissemination of fake information in recent times have negatively impacted public opinion, causing anxiety and indignation, such as: information about a "plane crash at Noi Bai airport in 2017," "numerous children hospitalized due to food poisoning from pork containing tranquilizers," and information about a kindergarten in Bac Ninh using pork contaminated with tapeworms... Most recently (after the Lunar New Year), in Da Nang city, some individuals spread fake news, even forging documents from Da Nang city leaders to create a land speculation frenzy. These actions have significantly affected public order and security, causing public unease.

Previously, a fake account appeared on Facebook under the name "Central Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of Vietnam" to mislead public opinion, create information chaos, and make it difficult for netizens to distinguish between real and fake information.

More dangerously, in June 2018, to fuel the riots in Binh Thuan protesting the Special Economic Zone and Cybersecurity Bills, some individuals exploited social media to spread propaganda and incite people with fabricated and manipulated information and images. According to the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung, on the morning of June 10, 2018, some people spread information online claiming that there were many protesters in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, but in reality, this was not the case.

Faced with the "real" threat of "fake news," Vietnam's Cybersecurity Law, as well as similar laws in many countries around the world, have imposed strict penalties. The Cybersecurity Law, passed by the National Assembly in June 2018 and effective from January 1, 2019, prohibits "false information that causes public panic, damages economic and social activities, hinders the operation of state agencies or public officials, and infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of other agencies, organizations, and individuals."

In the Resolution of the regular meeting in March 2019, the Government directed the Ministry of Information and Communications to research and take measures to handle fake news on the internet, and report to the Prime Minister before August 2019.

Numerous countries around the world also consider "fake news" a serious problem. Even in Southeast Asia, Singapore's government recently proposed a bill stipulating that "those who disseminate false information containing content intentionally harmful to the public interest will face imprisonment for up to 10 years." Malaysia and Cambodia have also passed their own laws on "fake news."

According to Cambodian law, anyone who posts false information on social media or websites can be sentenced to up to two years in prison and fined up to $1,000. On March 18, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed and promulgated two laws that severely punish acts of spreading fake news and insulting state symbols online.

Research from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) shows that fake news spreads much faster and more widely than real news. The consequences of spreading fake news extend beyond individuals and specific groups in particular localities, having a much broader impact and directly threatening national security.

Therefore, strengthening control over information in cyberspace is the responsibility of governments in many countries around the world, not just Vietnam. Besides perfecting the national cybersecurity policy and legal framework, raising awareness and knowledge of cybersecurity laws among all segments of society is absolutely essential.