Abusing social networks to post or share false information will soon carry fines of VNĐ10-20 million (US$430-860). — Photo cafebiz.vn

HÀ NỘI — Abusing social networks to post or share false information will soon carry fines of VNĐ10-20 million (US$430-860), according to a decree recently issued by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

The decree stipulates penalties for administrative violations in postal services, telecommunications, radio frequency, information technology and electronic transactions.

The decree is expected to take effect from April 15.

It provides clearer regulations on social network users’ responsibility compared to a decree promulgated in 2013.

In the new decree, Article 101 regulates fines of between VNĐ10-20 million for abuse of social networks to post or share false, distorted or slanderous information that offends the reputation of agencies and organisations or the honour and dignity of individuals. It also covers sharing fabricated information that causes public concern or induces violence and crime.

Similar fines will be imposed for spreading information that advocates backward customs, superstition and obscenity, or describes dreadful acts of murder or accidents in detail.

Additionally, fines will apply to posting or sharing inaccurate maps of Việt Nam’s territory; advertising or promoting information about banned goods and services; providing or sharing links to websites with banned content; and posting or sharing press works, literature and artworks or publications without copyright permission, works that haven’t been licensed to be published, or those that have been banned or revoked.

The degree also includes remedial measures including the removal of the false information or the offending posts.

Meanwhile, disclosure of information classified as State secrets, personal secrets and others that are not serious enough to face criminal punishment will face fines of between VNĐ20-30 million. — VNS