Myanmar’s military government has launched a sweeping effort to clamp down on internet access, specifically targeting virtual private networks (VPNs) which have been widely used to bypass censorship and access restricted websites and services reported Associated Press from Bangkok.
This intensified crackdown began in late May, according to reports from mobile phone operators, internet service providers, opposition groups, and local media. The military, which seized power in February 2021 by ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, has previously attempted to control internet traffic, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the coup.
Reports suggest that the military’s tactics now include random street searches of citizens’ mobile phones to detect VPN applications. Individuals found with such apps reportedly face fines, though it remains unclear if these penalties are officially sanctioned or part of an unofficial crackdown.
In a recent incident, about 25 people from Myanmar’s central coastal Ayeyarwady region were arrested and fined after VPN apps were discovered on their phones, as reported by the Burmese-language service of Radio Free Asia.
As the military continues to battle armed resistance groups across the country, these internet restrictions are seen as a way to stifle communication in regions experiencing conflict. This not only hampers the resistance but also obscures evidence of alleged human rights abuses from reaching the outside world.
According to Athan, a Myanmar-based freedom of expression advocacy group, nearly 90 of the country’s 330 townships have had their internet or phone services—or both—cut off by the authorities. The resistance movement, which has grown out of widespread opposition to the 2021 coup, has relied heavily on social media platforms like Facebook for organizing protests and coordinating activities.
As the conflict has escalated into armed struggle, and independent media have been shut down or forced underground, the demand for secure online communication has only increased. The resistance scored a symbolic victory when Facebook and other social media platforms banned Myanmar military personnel and blocked ads from military-linked businesses.
Since late May, users of popular free VPN services in Myanmar have reported widespread failures in connecting to social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and others. These VPNs, which mask users’ internet activities, have become a critical tool for circumventing government censorship.
Internet users, including online retailers, have reported significant slowdowns and difficulties in accessing or sharing content over the past two weeks. Major telecom companies in Myanmar, including MPT, Ooredoo, Atom, and the military-backed Mytel, confirmed that the Transport and Communications Ministry had ordered a nationwide ban on access to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and VPN services at the end of May.
Attempts to contact the Transport and Communications Ministry for comment were unsuccessful. Telecom operators have acknowledged the ban on VPNs and have advised users to try different services, although tests show that most VPNs are currently unable to maintain a connection.
The military government has yet to officially announce the VPN ban, but a draft cybersecurity law proposed in late 2021 could soon criminalize VPN use without government permission, with potential penalties including up to three years in prison and a fine of 5 million kyats (approximately $1,125 at the free market exchange rate).
Reports suggest that the military is collaborating with a local technology company and Chinese communication experts to implement these internet controls. China, known for its stringent internet censorship, has maintained close relations with Myanmar’s military regime.
In response to these developments, the National Unity Government, an opposition group that claims to be Myanmar’s legitimate government, issued a statement on June 8 condemning the military’s actions as violations of basic human rights and vowed to build independent internet networks in areas outside military control.
Views: 31
