Identifying authoritative information sources matters in 2025’s digital environment. Information moves fast, and organisations rely on verified, lawful sources to keep their decisions credible. Many websites look polished, but they often hide legal risks or ignore key regulatory requirements.
This article sets out clear legal criteria for determining whether an online information source is authoritative. It also shows the risks businesses face when they depend on unverified or misleading platforms. When legal teams understand these rules, they can strengthen compliance and reduce the impact of misinformation in a changing regulatory landscape.
At DNP Vietnam Law Firm, we guide corporate legal counsel with direct, practical insights. We help organisations choose lawful, trustworthy information sources and avoid the legal exposure that comes from relying on unsafe platforms.
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1. Legal Basis for Cybersecurity and Information Liability
1.1 Legal Context Relating to Electronic Information Portals
Vietnam’s legal framework is anchored by the Law No. 24/2018/QH14 on Cybersecurity (the “Cybersecurity Law”) of 2018, which governs all activities associated with cybersecurity: from preventing malicious computer programs, interfering with telecommunications networks, to the unlawful collection or disclosure of personal information. This law is not to be taken lightly: any act of collecting, using or publicly disclosing personal data or images without explicit consent is defined as a serious violation.
To operationalise these requirements, the Decree No. 15/2020/ND‑CP (as amended by Decree No. 14/2022/ND‑CP) serves as the “sharp blade” for administrative sanctions-covering acts such as sharing fabricated or false information. The fact that these decrees are continuously being updated signals that: if you are not proactively upgrading your legal strategy, you are falling behind.
1.2 Legal Definition of “Authoritative Information” and the Act of “Fake News”
Although the legislation does not list a legal definition for the term “authoritative information”, legal analysis shows that: “authoritative information” is information provided by sources that are properly licensed, legally responsible, and do not breach legal prohibitions.
Conversely, the act of providing or sharing “fabricated or false information” (“fake news”) is explicitly sanctioned under Vietnamese law. The legal basis: under Point a, Clause 1, Article 101 of Decree 15/2020/ND-CP (as amended) which penalises the act of “providing, sharing information that is fabricated, false, distorts, defames, or undermines the reputation of an agency, organisation, or the honour and dignity of an individual”. This affirms the principle: cyberspace is not a zone of immunity. If you believe that “looks like a government site, domain almost the same, logo looks good” is sufficient – you are placing your company in jeopardy.
2. Legal Distinction Between Electronic Newspapers and Aggregated Electronic Information Sites
The legal difference between an Electronic Newspaper (“Online Newspaper”) and an Aggregated Electronic Information Site (AEIS) is of critical importance in order to avoid the risk of “pseudo-reporting portalification”.
Electronic Newspaper: A licence to operate an online newspaper is issued to press agencies or organisations, and not to private enterprises. An online newspaper is entitled to produce original content (news articles, reports, features) generated by its own editorial team.
Aggregated Electronic Information Site (AEIS): A licence may be granted to an enterprise or organisation. This type of site is strictly prohibited from producing journalistic-type content on its own accord in the manner of a news organisation. It must republish information from sources that hold valid licences (and must have copyright agreements), and it must not publish personal opinions as if they were journalistic content. An AEIS is required to remove aggregated content when the original source withdraws or removes that content.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) suspended the granting of new licences for Aggregated Electronic Information Sites to enterprises and press organisations from 1 November 2019, for the purpose of reviewing and rectifying the phenomenon of “reporting portal masquerading”.
3. Mandatory Technical Criteria for State-Information Portals/Sites
For public information platforms operated by state agencies, Thông tư 22/2023/TT‑BTTTT (effective 5 April 2024) issued by the “Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông” sets out detailed requirements concerning the structure, layout and technical specifications of electronic portals and information sites of state agencies.
Scope of application (broad): The circular applies to every level of public administration – from Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, down to People’s Committees at the provincial, district and commune levels.
Information-security standards: A portal or information site must comply with the relevant laws on information-system security and network-safety according to the required security level.
Management responsibility: The managing agency must establish regulations for operation, including incident-handling procedures and the reception and processing of unlawful information in accordance with legal requirements.
If a site “looks like” a government portal but does not meet these standards – you should not assume it is an authoritative source.
Remember: Some private sites may adopt names and interfaces almost identical to official ones, but if the licence and operational process are unclear – do not trust it prematurely. You may be relying on a non-authoritative source, and if its information is incorrect or carries risk – your organisation may bear the consequences, with no easy way to undo.
4. Conclusion & Legal Strategy
“A domain name that mimics a ‘government information portal’ is not sufficient comfort. A sleek interface, eye-catching font & logo – could still be a trap. Ask: who is behind it? Is there a licence? Is the content sourced? If unclear – don’t place your trust in a ‘Naná brand’ and skip thorough verification. Legal risks are very real, and when they hit, your reputation and accountability will not be a joke.”
At DNP Vietnam Law Firm, we affirm that developing a compliance strategy must go far beyond surface indicators and delve directly into the legal essence of the information source. To ensure that your operations online are not just effective but fully lawful, we recommend conducting specialised legal due-diligence and regularly updating with the latest regulatory changes.
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