Facebook owner fined 10 million VND for posting false information about '1 suspected case of Corona'

Police work with Facebook owner who posted false information about suspected Corona virus infection in Hai Phong. Photo: VNA

At the police station, Vu Thi NT admitted to posting incorrect information and expressed regret, not foreseeing the consequences of spreading false rumors.

Vu Thi NT's behavior violated the provisions of Point a, Clause 3, Article 64, Decree No. 174/2013/ND-CP dated November 13, 2011 of the Government "Regulations on administrative sanctions in the field of post, telecommunications, information technology and radio frequencies: "Providing false information, slander, distortion, insulting the reputation of agencies, organizations and the honor and dignity of individuals". Department PA03, Hai Phong Police issued a Decision to administratively sanction Vu Thi NT with the amount of 10 million VND.

Previously, at 1:00 a.m. on January 26, Vu Thi NT posted an article with the content: "Hai Phong has 1 suspected case of Corona causing Wuhan pneumonia, currently being quarantined at the Infectious Diseases Department of Viet Tiep Hospital". After posting, in just a short time, the article had nearly 600 shares. By 10:00 p.m. the same day, the Facebook owner above removed the article.

As soon as the information was posted online, the authorities urgently verified and determined that on January 26, Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital did not receive any suspected cases of acute respiratory infection caused by the new strain of Corona virus.