Myanmar's Digital Repression 2024: Censorship, Surveillance, Shutdowns
Explore the digital repression in Myanmar under military rule through online censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns. Learn about the impacts on freedom of expression, access to information, privacy rights, and civil society.
Myanmar's military rulers have severely restricted digital rights through:
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Online Censorship
- Blocking websites, social media, and content critical of the military
- Using laws to criminalize online dissent and justify censorship
- Stifling free speech, journalism, and access to information
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Surveillance Practices
- Deploying facial recognition cameras and collecting biometric data
- Building databases with citizens' personal information
- Enabling monitoring and targeting of activists and dissidents
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Internet Shutdowns
- Frequent nationwide and localized internet blackouts
- Disrupting communication, media, aid efforts, and the economy
- Obstructing documentation of human rights abuses
The digital crackdown aims to control information, silence opposition, and hide atrocities, severely impacting civil liberties and human rights.
| Key Impacts | Description |
|---|---|
| Freedom of Expression | Self-censorship, arrests for online dissent |
| Access to Information | Independent media restricted, limited public awareness |
| Privacy Rights | Invasive surveillance, data misuse risks |
| Civil Society | Challenges documenting abuses, coordinating resistance |
The international community must impose targeted sanctions, support digital rights activists, and establish accountability mechanisms to address Myanmar's digital authoritarianism and uphold internet freedom globally.
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Myanmar's Political Landscape
Myanmar has faced a severe crisis since the military took control in a coup on February 1, 2021. The coup removed the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party. This triggered widespread protests and civil disobedience, leading to a brutal crackdown by the military junta.
After the coup, the junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, formed the State Administration Council (SAC) and declared a state of emergency. They promised to hold new elections. However, the military has increased its repression, using force against peaceful protesters, arresting thousands, and restricting civil liberties and human rights.
The junta has also targeted online spaces to control information and suppress opposition. As the resistance movement grew, the military authorities resorted to online censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns to silence dissenting voices and limit access to independent information.
Escalating Crackdown on Online Spaces
Since the coup, the junta has implemented laws and directives to tighten control over the internet and digital communications. These measures have enabled widespread censorship, invasive surveillance practices, and frequent internet disruptions, severely limiting online freedom and privacy.
Evolving Tactics of Digital Repression
The military's tactics of digital repression have changed over time, adapting to the resistance movement's use of online platforms for organizing and sharing information.
Initially, the junta used crude methods like blanket internet shutdowns and blocking popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
As the resistance movement became more sophisticated in using digital tools and circumvention techniques, the military's approach also became more targeted and technologically advanced. This included:
- Deploying advanced surveillance technologies
- Using cyber-attacks and malware
- Implementing more nuanced censorship measures targeting specific websites, content, and individuals
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The political crisis in Myanmar has escalated into an armed conflict, with the military engaging in brutal offensives against ethnic armed groups and civilian populations perceived as supporting the resistance. This has resulted in:
- Widespread displacement
- Human rights violations
- A severe humanitarian crisis
This situation has further increased the need for reliable access to information and communication channels.
As the situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, the junta's efforts to control the digital space have become an integral part of its strategy to suppress dissent, maintain power, and limit information about ongoing atrocities and human rights violations.
Online Censorship
Laws Allowing Censorship
The military rulers in Myanmar use these laws to justify censoring online content:
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Counterterrorism Law: This law allows imprisoning people for up to 7 years for criticizing the military online.
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Draft Cybersecurity Law: If passed, this law would give the military broad powers to block online content they consider "disruptive."
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Telecommunications Law: Section 77 lets the military intercept communications and block websites without court approval. Section 66(d) makes online defamation a crime punishable by up to 2 years in prison.
Content Blocked Online
The military has blocked access to many websites, platforms, and types of online content, including:
| Blocked Websites/Platforms | Types of Censored Content |
|---|---|
| Facebook, Twitter, Instagram | Posts criticizing the military or supporting resistance groups |
| Independent news sites (e.g., The Irrawaddy, Myanmar Now) | Articles and reports on human rights abuses, military attacks |
| Ethnic media sites (e.g., Khit Thit Media, Narinjara News) | Content related to ethnic minority groups and their struggles |
| Virtual private networks (VPNs) and circumvention tools | Tools used to bypass internet censorship |
| Wikipedia | Articles on Myanmar's political situation and military |
Impact on Free Speech
The military's online censorship has severely limited freedom of expression, access to information, and the work of journalists in Myanmar:
- Independent media outlets must operate secretly or from outside the country, limiting their ability to report on the ground.
- Journalists and citizen reporters face constant threats of arrest, violence, and imprisonment for their online activities.
- The public has restricted access to reliable information, making it harder for them to make informed decisions.
- Online spaces for dissent and organizing have been disrupted, hindering the resistance movement's coordination efforts.
Overall, the military's censorship has created an environment of fear and self-censorship, stifling the free flow of information and undermining democratic values in Myanmar.
Surveillance Practices
Surveillance Tools Used
The Myanmar military is using these tools to watch and track people:
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CCTV cameras with facial recognition: Cameras from Chinese companies like Huawei, Dahua, and Hikvision are being set up in major cities. These cameras can identify people's faces.
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Biometric data collection: The military is gathering fingerprints, iris scans, and facial data from citizens. This biometric information is stored in a central database.
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Personal data collection: Along with biometric data, the military is also collecting personal details like addresses, family information, and financial records.
| Surveillance Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CCTV Cameras with Facial Recognition | Identify and track individuals in public areas |
| Biometric Data (Fingerprints, Iris Scans, Facial Data) | Create unique identifiers for citizens |
| Personal Data (Addresses, Family Details, Financial Records) | Build comprehensive profiles on individuals |
Privacy Concerns
The military's widespread surveillance raises major privacy concerns:
- Collecting biometric and personal data violates the right to privacy.
- A centralized database with detailed citizen information enables monitoring and targeting.
- Lack of oversight increases risks of data misuse and abuse by the authoritarian regime.
Targeting Dissidents and Activists
There are fears the military will use surveillance data to:
- Identify pro-democracy activists and dissidents
- Track their movements and map their networks
- Anticipate and disrupt their activities
- Persecute anyone seen as a threat to the junta's rule
Reports suggest the military is already using surveillance to:
- Monitor online activities and communications
- Target those expressing dissent or supporting resistance
The expansion of advanced surveillance capabilities like facial recognition and biometric databases heightens risks for activists and human rights defenders in Myanmar.
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Internet Shutdowns
Shutdown Patterns
The military rulers in Myanmar have frequently shut down the internet across the country since the 2021 coup. These shutdowns often target areas where conflicts are happening or protests are taking place:
- In Rakhine and Chin states, the internet has been shut down for long periods since June 2019, severely limiting access.
- Nationwide internet blackouts were imposed on key dates like the 2022 Armed Forces Day and the 2023 coup anniversary.
- Local township and city shutdowns frequently occur during military operations and crackdowns on protesters.
The shutdowns can last from hours to months, with little warning. Their timing and locations suggest a deliberate tactic to disrupt communication and control information.
Communication and Information Impact
The internet shutdowns have severely hampered communication and access to information for civilians in Myanmar:
| Impact | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Communication | Unable to contact loved ones to check on their safety during military offensives. |
| Independent Media | Journalists face challenges reporting on the evolving situation. |
| Access to Resources | Disrupted access to online educational resources, banking services, and e-commerce. |
| Sharing Evidence | Difficulty sharing images/videos documenting human rights abuses. |
With limited internet access, people in affected areas struggle to stay informed about critical developments impacting their lives and security.
Economic and Humanitarian Effects
Prolonged internet shutdowns have taken a devastating economic and humanitarian toll:
- Myanmar's e-commerce and digital economy sectors have been crippled, resulting in lost income and business closures.
- Banking disruptions have made financial transactions and accessing funds extremely challenging.
- Humanitarian aid delivery and coordination efforts are hindered due to communication breakdowns.
- Students have missed out on online learning opportunities during shutdowns.
Independent estimates suggest Myanmar has lost hundreds of millions in economic output due to internet blackouts, exacerbating hardships from the coup and conflicts.
Digital Resistance
Activist Strategies
To fight the military's online restrictions, pro-democracy activists use:
- Encrypted messaging apps like Signal and Telegram to coordinate protests and share info securely.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass website blocks and access restricted content.
- Lesser-known social media platforms and the dark web to communicate and spread information.
- Underground networks and coded language to avoid detection by authorities.
- Bluetooth mesh networking apps like Bridgefy to create local communication networks without internet.
Circumvention Tools
These tools help activists overcome the junta's digital restrictions:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| VPNs (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark) | Encrypt internet traffic to bypass censorship and access blocked websites/services. |
| Tor Browser | Routes traffic through encrypted relays, concealing the user's IP address for anonymous web browsing of censored content. |
| Psiphon | Uses VPN, SSH, and HTTP proxy technologies to bypass internet blocks and enable secure communication. |
| Lantern | Routes internet traffic through a decentralized network of trusted users, obfuscating the user's online activity. |
| Encrypted Messaging Apps (e.g., Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp) | Provide end-to-end encryption, protecting communications from government surveillance and enabling secure information sharing. |
Risks for Activists
Despite these efforts, digital resistance in Myanmar carries significant risks:
- Activists face constant threats of arrest, imprisonment, and violence from the junta for their online activities.
- Many have been charged under laws like the Telecommunications Law and the Unlawful Associations Act for expressing dissent or sharing information online.
- Prominent activist Ko Jimmy was executed in 2022 for his role in the pro-democracy movement, sending a chilling message to others.
- Journalists and citizen reporters documenting human rights abuses also face severe repercussions, including lengthy prison sentences or extrajudicial killings.
- The junta's surveillance capabilities pose a constant risk of detection and persecution for those using circumvention tools.
- Activists must exercise extreme caution and employ advanced operational security measures to protect their identities and communications from being compromised.
Global Response
International Reactions
The United Nations and many countries have strongly criticized Myanmar's military rulers for restricting internet freedom and digital rights. The UN Security Council expressed deep worry about the worsening situation and condemned the use of force against peaceful protesters. Countries like the UK have imposed sanctions on the military junta and related companies to limit their access to weapons, fuel, and money.
UN human rights experts have urged member states to adopt more sanctions, including restricting the sale of surveillance technology to Myanmar. They stressed that "the people of Myanmar need and deserve a strong international response to the junta's assault on freedom of expression, access to information, and violations of the right to privacy."
Business Impacts
Companies operating in Myanmar face major challenges due to the military's tactics to control the internet. They must ensure they follow international human rights standards and do not contribute to or benefit from human rights abuses. This includes respecting the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and privacy.
Businesses may face risks to their reputation, legal issues, and operational disruptions if they fail to address the human rights impacts of their activities in Myanmar. They must exercise due diligence and implement strong policies and procedures to mitigate the risks associated with censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns.
Internet Freedom Implications
Myanmar's digital repression represents a grave threat to global internet freedom and human rights. The military's actions set a dangerous example for authoritarian regimes seeking to control and censor online spaces, undermine democratic movements, and suppress dissent.
The international community must take a strong stance against such digital authoritarianism and hold the Myanmar military accountable for violating fundamental freedoms. Failure to do so could encourage other repressive regimes to adopt similar tactics, further eroding internet freedom and human rights worldwide.
Human rights organizations and internet freedom advocates must continue to support the people of Myanmar and their digital resistance efforts. They must also work to strengthen international norms and legal frameworks to protect online rights and prevent the misuse of surveillance technologies and internet shutdowns.
Conclusion
Key Points
- Myanmar's military rulers have severely restricted digital rights through:
- Censoring online content
- Widespread surveillance
- Frequent internet shutdowns
- These actions aim to control information, silence opposition, and hide human rights violations.
- The digital crackdown has severely impacted:
- Freedom of expression
- Access to information
- Privacy rights
- Civil society's ability to document abuses
Policy Recommendations
1. Impose Targeted Sanctions
The global community should expand sanctions against Myanmar's military and affiliated companies involved in digital repression, such as:
| Sanction Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Restrict Surveillance Tech Sales | Ban selling surveillance and censorship tools to Myanmar |
| Freeze Assets and Travel Bans | Target military leaders responsible for rights violations |
| Prohibit Foreign Investment | Stop investment in military-linked companies enabling digital authoritarianism |
2. Support Digital Rights Activists
Governments and donors should provide funding and resources to support Myanmar's digital rights activists and civil society groups working to:
- Bypass censorship
- Document abuses
- Promote internet freedom
3. Establish Accountability Mechanisms
The UN and regional bodies should create mechanisms to:
- Investigate human rights violations enabled by digital repression tactics
- Hold Myanmar's military accountable for these abuses
Guidelines for Businesses
Companies operating in Myanmar must:
- Conduct thorough human rights due diligence to identify and mitigate risks of contributing to abuses
- Implement strong policies and procedures to resist unlawful government demands for:
- Censorship
- Surveillance
- Network disruptions
- Increase transparency by publicly reporting on government orders received and actions taken
- Provide appropriate remedies for individuals impacted by:
- Network shutdowns
- Privacy violations
Call to Action
The global community must remain vigilant and intensify efforts to defend digital rights in Myanmar. Failure to take decisive action against the military's digital authoritarianism will only encourage other repressive regimes and further erode online freedoms worldwide.
Continued advocacy, pressure, and support for Myanmar's pro-democracy movement are crucial to upholding human rights and restoring democratic governance.
