What to do if you are defamed on social networks? How to protect your rights and interests in accordance with the law

What should I do to protect my legitimate rights and interests when my honor is defamed on social networks? False, slanderous or insulting information on Facebook, TikTok, Zalo... not only affect reputation, but can also cause damage to mental, work and life. So when you become a victim, what do you need to do to request the removal of information, handle violators and protect your rights in accordance with the law? Let's find out in the article below.

1. What is defamation on social media?

Defamation on social networks is the act of using Facebook, TikTok, Zalo, YouTube or other online platforms to post, share or disseminate false information, insult honor and dignity or affect the reputation of individuals and organizations.

Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, the person committing the act may be administratively sanctioned, have to pay compensation for civil damage or be examined for penal liability.

According to Article 34 of the Civil Code 2015, the right to protection of honor, dignity and prestige is stipulated as follows:

- The honor, dignity and reputation of individuals are inviolable and protected by law.

- Individuals have the right to request the Court to reject information that adversely affects their honor, dignity and reputation.

The protection of honor, dignity and prestige may be carried out after the death of the individual at the request of the spouse or adult children; in case there are no such persons, at the request of the deceased's parents, unless otherwise provided for by relevant laws.

- Information adversely affecting the honor, dignity and prestige of individuals published on any mass media must be removed or corrected by such mass media. If this information is stored by agencies, organizations or individuals, it must be destroyed.

- In case the person who has reported the news cannot be identified, adversely affecting his/her honor, dignity and reputation, the person being reported has the right to request the Court to declare that such information is untrue.

- Individuals whose information adversely affects their honor, dignity and reputation shall, in addition to the right to request the rejection of such information, also have the right to request the person providing the information to apologize, make public corrections and compensate for damages.

2. What to do if you are slandered on social networks?

When detecting a criminal act, we can denounce that act to the police for settlement in accordance with the law.

- Collecting and retaining evidence

- Request removal of infringing information

- Request the competent authority to handle

- Claim for damages

The crime of humiliating others causing serious consequences is punished very strictly

The order and procedures for making denunciations are as follows:

- Make denunciations, clearly state the criminal acts and submit them to the competent police offices for settlement;

- After receiving the denunciation, the police will be obliged to verify, investigate and handle it to protect your legitimate rights and interests.

- If there are sufficient grounds, the authorities will prosecute the case to investigate and clarify the criminal act and settle it in accordance with the law.

3. How is defamation of the honor and dignity of others handled?

3.1 Administrative sanctions

Persons who commit acts of defaming the honor and dignity of others may be administratively sanctioned according to Decree 144/2021/ND-CP as follows:

- A fine of between VND 02 and 03 million: provoking, teasing, insulting, insulting, defaming the honor and dignity of others (Pursuant to Point a, Clause 3, Article 7).

- A fine of between VND 05 and 20 million: Insulting the honor and dignity of family members (Article 54).

In addition, if the use of social networks such as Facebook, Zalo, Telegram... to provide false information, distort, slander, insult personal reputation, honor and dignity, they may be fined from 20 to 30 million VND according to Point a, Clause 3, Article 99 of Decree 15/2020/ND-CP

3.2 Criminal liability

If the act of defaming the honor and dignity of others is dangerous, they can also be prosecuted for criminal liability for the crime of humiliating others according to Article 155 of the Criminal Code 2015, amended in 2017

Accordingly, those who seriously offend the dignity and honor of others shall be subject to a warning, a fine of between VND 10 and 30 million or non-custodial reform for up to 03 years.

In addition, the person who commits the act of defaming the honor and dignity of others may also be banned from holding certain positions, practicing certain professions or doing certain jobs for 01-05 years.

Thus, a person who defames the honor and dignity of others may be criminally handled with the highest frame of imprisonment of up to 05 years.

3.3 Compensation for damage caused by infringing upon the honor and dignity of others

Clause 1, Article 584 of the 2015 Civil Code stipulates that those who infringe upon the honor and dignity of others and cause damage must pay compensation.

Accordingly, the violator must not only compensate for the costs to overcome the damage, but also pay a sum of money to compensate for the mental loss to the person who is defamed in terms of honor and dignity. The amount shall be agreed upon by the parties, if no agreement can be reached, the maximum compensation amount shall not exceed 10 months of base salary.

4. What lawyers support for victims

When being defamed on social networks, having a lawyer to accompany you will help the infringed person protect their legitimate rights and interests effectively and in accordance with the law. Specifically, lawyers can:

- Assess the case and legal grounds, identify acts showing signs of civil, administrative or criminal violations.

- Advising on appropriate handling plans, helping customers choose the optimal solution depending on the nature and severity of the case.

- Support the collection, preservation and evaluation of evidence such as articles, images, videos, comments, links to serve the settlement process.

- Drafting legal documents such as petitions, denunciations, lawsuit petitions and necessary documents in accordance with regulations.

- Representing or protecting the legitimate rights and interests of clients when working with competent authorities or participating in court proceedings.

- Supporting claims for compensation for damages, requests for corrections, public apology or application of other measures to protect interests as prescribed by law.

Consulting a lawyer at an early stage will help determine the right direction of handling, limit legal risks and improve the effectiveness of protecting the honor, dignity and reputation of the infringed person.

Final Thoughts

Based on the analysis in the article, it can be seen that when being defamed on social networks, understanding the law and choosing the appropriate handling plan is an important factor to protect your legitimate rights and interests. If you encounter difficulties in the process of collecting evidence, requesting handling of violations or initiating lawsuits, you should consult a lawyer for timely support and in accordance with the law. HTC Vietnam Law Firm is always ready to accompany, advise and protect the interests of clients in all stages of case resolution.

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(Written by: Le Trang Nhung; Date written: 10/7/2026)