On May 18, 2019, the public security of Tinh Gia District, Thanh Hoa Province summoned and fined four local residents for using Facebook to criticise the Party provincial leadership. They dubbed the action as seditious libel against the Party, although it mainly challenged the effectiveness and transparency of local authorities. The Facebookers were fined 7.5 million Vietnam Dong each (approximately US $350.00) and forced to sign a “guarantee” not to repeat such actions.