Tightening discipline in cyberspace.

In recent days, public opinion has been particularly interested in Decree 174/2026/ND-CP, which will take effect from July 1st. This decree stipulates an increase in penalties from 30-50 million VND for providing or sharing false information that causes public panic or affects socio-economic activities, and it has become a hot topic on many forums.

Officers from the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department ( Thai Nguyen Provincial Police) work with an individual who posted false information on social media. (Photo: Provided)

According to Article 95 of Decree 174/2026, the act of providing or sharing false information that causes public panic and damages socio -economic activities will be subject to a fine of 30-50 million VND, whereas previously, under Decree 15/2020, the fine was only 10-20 million VND. This is a necessary adjustment to tighten discipline in cyberspace, in line with the current explosion of digital information.

In the digital age, an unverified status update or a misleadingly edited video is no longer a harmless joke. It can damage a business's reputation, disrupt the market, and even plunge the community into panic regarding issues related to epidemics, natural disasters, or sensitive social events.

In reality, the old penalties were no longer sufficient to deter offenders from engaging in or exploiting these practices for personal gain. Therefore, the new penalty framework is a timely adjustment that directly impacts the interests of those who violate the law.

However, for the decree to be effective, there are still points that need further clarification. First is the criterion for defining the act of "causing public panic." This is a qualitative concept, easily leading to different interpretations and applications.

Is a post with a few hundred shares considered to be causing panic, or does it need to have a much wider reach? Would an opinion expressing concern about local planning be considered to be creating anxiety? These issues require specific guidance to ensure the objective and transparent application of sanctions, avoiding misinterpretations or abuse during the handling process.

Furthermore, there is the challenge of dealing with anonymous accounts or sources of dissemination originating from abroad. High penalties are only meaningful when the perpetrators are accurately identified. This requires close coordination between authorities and cross-border platforms, as well as a centralized mechanism for receiving reports so that citizens can easily report fake news, contributing to improved social oversight.

For Decree 174/2026 to truly be implemented, a prerequisite is strict and consistent enforcement. Authorities need to strengthen their technological capabilities to promptly detect and handle accounts that spread harmful information.

Mainstream media must proactively provide timely and accurate information. More importantly, each social media user needs to build their own "responsibility filter," knowing how to verify information before sharing it. Only then can discipline in cyberspace be sustainably established, creating a safe and healthy digital environment for the entire society.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202605/siet-chat-ky-cuong-บน-khong-gian-mang-97c57b8/