Principles for providing information about the Ministry of Public Security in the network environment in Vietnam

Principles for providing information about the Ministry of Public Security in the network environment in Vietnam (Internet image)

On September 29, 2023, the Minister of Public Security issued Circular 45/2023/TT-BCA regulating the provision of information by the People's Public Security Force in the online environment.

1. Principles for providing information about the Ministry of Public Security in the network environment in Vietnam

Article 3, Circular 45/2023/TT-BCA stipulates the following general principles:

- Information provided on the network environment of the Ministry of Public Security, Police units, and localities is public information, not included in the list of state secrets, professional secrets, or internal police secrets; it is not information or documents that are not allowed to be posted publicly online and is consistent with the functions, tasks, and powers of the People's Public Security force.

- The provision of information by the Ministry of Public Security, Police units and localities in the online environment must fully and seriously comply with the provisions of law on access to information, information technology, network information safety, network security, Government regulations on the management, provision, and use of Internet services and online information.

- Electronic information portal of the Ministry of Public Security and electronic information portals, electronic information pages (hereinafter collectively referred to as electronic information portals) of police units and localities must ensure basic support functions and interaction functions with organizations and individuals in the network environment as prescribed in Article 7 and Article 8 of Decree No. 42/2022/ND-CP dated June 24, 2022 of the Government regulating the provision of information and online public services by state agencies in the network environment and relevant legal provisions.

- The Ministry of Public Security's electronic information portal and the electronic information portal of the Police units and localities can only cite information sources from the electronic information portals of Party and state agencies; do not cite information unrelated to the functions and tasks of the People's Public Security force.

- Electronic information portal of units under the Ministry; People's Public Security academies and schools; and hospitals under the Ministry of Public Security are part of the Ministry of Public Security's electronic information portal. The construction of electronic information portals for Police units and localities must be approved by the Minister of Public Security.

2. Information provided by the Ministry of Public Security on the network environment in Vietnam

Information provided by the Ministry of Public Security in the online environment includes the contents specified in Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree 42/2022/ND-CP, and the following contents:

- Information on the direction, administration, and activities of the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security;

- Situation and results of all aspects of police work. Content of statements and information provided to the press by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security and the authorized spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security on issues related to police work that are of concern to public opinion;

- Information about cases and incidents being investigated and verified by investigation agencies, agencies assigned to conduct a number of investigation activities of the Ministry of Public Security and Provincial Police, but consider that providing information on the network environment is necessary for the process of investigation, verification, and the work of fighting, preventing, and combating crimes and violations of laws on security and order;

- Content of the Ministry of Public Security's response to voters' recommendations;

- Citizen reception schedule of leaders of the Ministry of Public Security;

- Information on fighting against wrong, hostile views and misleading information about the Party, the state, and the police sector and the work of protecting national security, ensuring social order and safety, and fighting crime and law violations;

- Interpol news;

- Information about wanted and searched subjects;

- Information about organizations and individuals involved in terrorism and terrorist financing;

- Topical information: crime warnings; guidance on reporting crimes; building a movement of all people to protect national security; law making; advanced examples, beautiful images, examples of good people, good deeds, examples of the courage of police officers and soldiers, and other propaganda topics suitable to work practice;

- Information about online public services that the Ministry of Public Security is implementing;

- Other information is decided by the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security or the Chief of Office of the Ministry of Public Security.

Note: Information provided by the Ministry of Public Security on the network environment must be updated promptly in case of changes.

(Article 5 of Circular 45/2023/TT-BCA)

More details can be found in Circular 45/2023/TT-BCA, which will take effect on November 15, 2023, replacing Circular 98/2020/TT-BCA.

Ho Quoc Tuan

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