Quang Ngai police process 63 individuals for spreading 'toxic' online information

Authorities in Quang Ngai province, Vietnam, have taken action against 63 individuals for their online activities, specifically for interacting with and sharing "toxic" information. The provincial police's cybersecurity division, in coordination with other units, summoned these individuals for warnings and processing.

The individuals were found to be engaging with content disseminated through platforms linked to Le Trung Khoa, a 55-year-old Vietnamese national residing in Germany. Khoa is currently wanted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security's Security Investigation Agency for allegedly "producing, storing, disseminating, or propagandizing information, documents, and materials aimed at opposing the Vietnamese state."

Le Trung Khoa was tried in absentia by the Hanoi People's Court on December 31, 2025, and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Prosecutors stated that since 2016, Khoa had used various online channels to post articles and videos containing distorted information, slandering the government, causing public confusion, and tarnishing the reputation of Party and State leaders.

During questioning, the involved individuals admitted to commenting on and interacting with the false information. They cited limited political awareness and a lack of skills in identifying and verifying online information as reasons for inadvertently becoming conduits for the spread of harmful content. Ultimately, 61 individuals were warned and educated, while two were fined a total of 12.5 million VND. All acknowledged their wrongdoing, agreed to remove comments, leave associated groups, and pledged not to repeat their actions.