Strictly handle acts of posting false and unverified information about the Covid-19 epidemic

"Confusing" public opinion with unverified information

The time when cases of infection appeared in Nghe AnCovid-19, some individuals have shared, transmitted, and disseminated information from unofficial, unverified, and false sources, especially personal information of patients on social networks.

Typically, on the morning of June 15, 2021, Vinh City Police coordinated with the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department of Nghe An Provincial Police to summon and work with NTPL, owner of the Facebook account "Phuong Linh" for posting false information..

NT, PL, owner of Facebook account "Phuong Linh" at the police station. Photo courtesy of CATP

Previously, on June 14, 2021, through monitoring the situation on cyberspace, the authorities discovered that the Facebook account "Phuong Linh" posted an article related to the case of a rural resident infected with Covid-19 in Ha Huy Tap ward, Vinh city, with a picture of a woman.

False content posted by Facebook account "Phuong Linh". Photo courtesy: CATP

However, verification showed that the image of the woman in the article was not a case of Covid-19 infection in Ha Huy Tap ward. At the same time, the content of the article mentioning that at 4:00 a.m. on June 14, 2021, there were 3 cases staying in Ha Huy Tap ward, Vinh city, is completely untrue, causing panic among the people.

Similarly, on June 17, Nghi Loc District Police said they had coordinated with Nghi Thai Commune Police to summon CTL (born in 1992), residing in Hung Loc Commune, Vinh City, for posting false information.on social networks. Specifically, on June 16, through checking on social networks, the authorities discovered that a Facebook user named Linh Nhung posted content related to a case of a rural resident infected with Covid-19 in Ha Huy Tap ward, Vinh city.

CTL at the police station. Photo: CSCC

The post read “Who is waiting for Nghi Thai and TM (character name abbreviated - PV), I can hardly breathe”, along with the comment “I slept with TM, now my wife locked the door and won’t let me leave the house, if we die, we all die”.

During his time at the police station, CTL admitted his wrongdoings. Accordingly, L. hastily posted false information on social media due to rumors and lack of verification.

Also on June 16, 2021, Facebook account "Nguyen Van Gia Bao" posted an article in the group "Anh Son Nha Choa" with the content: "I hope the local authorities of the commune and district will close all drinking and eating establishments and markets to protect health and avoid the epidemic. Currently, the epidemic has reached hamlet 6, Khai Son, I am worried.”. The information posted above is completely false, causing confusion among the people. Anh Son police have summoned NVN, residing in Hoa Son commune, Anh Son district, owner of the Facebook account “Nguyen Van Gia Bao” for posting false information about the Covid-19 epidemic situation.

False post by Facebook owner "Nguyen Van Gia Bao" on social media. Photo: Provided by the police

At the investigation agency, NVN recognized and admitted his violation, stating that the reason was due to incomplete research and information on social networks, so he posted the article, removed the false information and pledged not to repeat the offense.

Previously, on the afternoon of May 6, Mr. P.D.L (born in 1950, residing in Hamlet 1, Nghi Phu Commune, Vinh City) and Ms. NTH (born in 1987, residing in Truong Tien Block, Hung Binh Ward, Vinh City) posted on their personal Facebook pages an image of the test result response form of the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control that had been edited, in which the conclusion of the 4 people clearly stated negative, while the test result of Mr. NTA (residing in Le Loi Ward, Vinh City) was recorded as "SAR".

The false information spread quickly, attracting the attention of many netizens and causing public confusion.

Authorities work with Ms. NTH residing in Hung Binh ward, Vinh city. Photo: Quynh Trang

At the police station, Mr. L. and Ms. H. cooperated with the authorities, admitted their wrongdoings, removed the post on their personal Facebook pages and pledged not to repeat the offense.

Posting the above false and unverified information not only creates chaotic information on social networks, causes public confusion, affects the honor and dignity of others, but also makes the State's epidemic prevention and control work face many difficulties.

Strictly handle violations

According to Lawyer Nguyen Trong Hai - Head of Trong Hai and Associates Law Office:The law has strict regulations prohibiting users of media, especially social networks, from spreading false, distorted, and unverified information.

Specifically: Point d, Article 8 of the 2018 Law on Cyber ​​Security strictly prohibits the use of cyberspace to commit the following acts: Providing false information that causes confusion among the people, causes damage to socio-economic activities, causes difficulties for the activities of state agencies or public servants, and infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of other agencies, organizations, and individuals. Article 9 of this Law also clearly stipulates:Anyone who violates the provisions of this Law shall, depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation, be subject to disciplinary action, administrative sanctions, or criminal prosecution. If causing damage, compensation must be paid in accordance with the provisions of law.

Much false information about the Covid-19 epidemic has caused public confusion.

Violators of the above regulations, depending on the nature and severity, may be subject to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution.

Regarding administrative sanctions: According to Decree No. 15/2020/ND-CP stipulating administrative sanctions in the fields of post, telecommunications, radio frequencies, information technology and electronic transactions, the act of taking advantage of social networks to provide and share fake information, false information, distorted information, slander, and insult the reputation of agencies, organizations, honor and dignity of individuals; providing and sharing fabricated information, causing panic among the people, inciting violence, etc. will be fined from VND 10,000,000 to VND 20,000,000.

In addition, the provision also stipulates remedial measures that require individuals and organizations to immediately remove the above false or misleading information. However, the above is the penalty for organizations, and individuals who violate this act will be fined half the fine for organizations, that is, from VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 based on the provisions of Clause 3, Article 4, Decree 15/2020/ND-CP

Vinh City will conduct rapid Covid-19 tests for all residents. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Regarding criminal prosecution, at a serious level, the act of posting information on computer networks and telecommunications networks that is contrary to the provisions of law, causing bad public opinion, reducing the reputation and honor of agencies, organizations and individuals; causing negative impacts on security, order and social safety... will be prosecuted for criminal responsibility according to the provisions of Article 288, Penal Code 2015 on the crime of illegally posting or using information on computer networks and telecommunications networks with the main penalty from 300,000,000 VND to 1,000,000,000 VND or the highest prison term of up to 07 years for individuals.

In addition, the offender may also be fined from 20,000,000 to 200,000,000 VND, banned from holding positions, practicing a profession or doing certain jobs from 01 to 05 years.

The Department of Health requested the Nghe An Provincial Police to investigate and strictly handle according to regulations units and individuals violating the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, especially violations of providing and sharing test results and medical records related to Covid-19 patients. Photo: Thanh Chung

In addition, in the face of the recent situation, on social networks (Zalo, Facebook), there have been posts of medical records and results of Covid-19 patients, providing unofficial information on disease prevention and Covid-19 testing, causing confusion among people. On June 16, 2021, the Department of Health of Nghe An province also issued Official Dispatch 2315/YT-VP with the content of strictly prohibiting the provision and sharing of test results of patients with or suspected of having Covid-19 without the consent of the Director of the Department of Health.

Then, on June 18, 2021, Nghe An Department of Health issued Document No. 2395/SYT-VP requesting Nghe An Provincial Police to investigate and strictly handle according to regulations units and individuals violating the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, especially violations of providing and sharing test results and medical records related to Covid-19 patients.

Arbitrarily posting personal information of Covid-19 infected patients on social networks can be fined up to 30 million VND according to the provisions of Point C, Clause 2, Article 84, Decree No. 15/2002/NDCP (Illegal collection, use, dissemination, and trading of other people's personal information). In addition, the act of posting, sharing, and disseminating information about patients also violates Article 8 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, which stipulates the right to respect for privacy, specifically:Information about health status and privacy recorded in medical records is kept confidential".

Currently, in addition to strengthening inspection and strictly handling cases of spreading and posting false information about the Covid-19 epidemic situation, the authorities also recommend that people should follow information on official mass media.

Anh Son District Police summoned the account owner who posted false information about the Covid-19 epidemic to work. Photo: Thai Hien

Do not post information about the Covid-19 situation in the area that has not been announced by the health sector; do not post excerpts or full text of directives and reports from competent authorities that have not been signed and issued; do not post information that violates the privacy of patients, causing public panic and affecting the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic in the community.