Since a military coup earlier this month, Myanmar has suffered five internet blackouts. Blockages have also occurred on some social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, which have been used to generate support for anti-coup protests in the country. A cybersecurity bill was launched in the country, which only began to receive adequate internet coverage after 2013.
Why shutdown the Internet?
The regime may be using the time to analyze data to track prison targets, said Australian cybersecurity expert Damien Manuel of Deakin University.
But Matt Warren of RMIT University in Melbourne said the regime could be borrowing from China’s manual on creating a state-monitored firewall to control the flow of information.
“The Chinese model is an example of how a [government] it can control a population online, ”he said, adding that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Vietnam have similar, but less sophisticated measures.
Whatever the reason, military disconnections from the Internet can be characterized as “ad hoc”. “They are reacting to the situation. They didn’t have a plan to control the internet as soon as the (scam) happened, ”he said.
It’s working?
Internet users in Myanmar have managed to bypass social media blocks using virtual private networks (VPNs). Top10VPN, a digital security advocacy group based in Britain, reported a 7,200% increase in local demand for VPNs immediately after Facebook was banned on February 4.
Samuel Woodhams of Top10VPN said there were reports of blocked VPN services in Myanmar, although it is unclear exactly how many were affected. “This shows the government’s determination to restrict citizens’ access to information and freedom of expression,” he said.
What about the new laws?
The military junta has proposed new laws that empower it to block websites, order the internet to close and restrict the spread of what it considers to be fake news. It also asked all Internet service providers to keep user data for up to three years and provide it “for the sake of national security”.
Telenor, a Norwegian company that is the largest mobile operator in Myanmar with 22 million customers, was forced to close its Internet network under the regime. He expressed concern about the “broad scope” of the bill.
He said the transport and communications ministry had told all mobile operators to temporarily close data networks, citing Myanmar’s telecommunications law and references to the circulation of false news, nation stability and public interest as the basis for order .
“Telenor Myanmar, as a local company, is subject to local law and needs to deal with this irregular and difficult situation. We have employees on the ground and our first priority is to ensure their safety, ”he said.
Civil society groups based in Myanmar, private companies and even their industrial and manufacturing association denounced the project. Their concerns range from human rights to concerns that it could stifle a favorable business environment.
What is the global reaction?
“Myanmar’s proposed cybersecurity law is a despots’ dream everywhere,” said Human Rights Watch legal advisor Linda Lakhdhir. “This would consolidate the junta’s ability to conduct comprehensive surveillance, restrict online expression and cut off access to essential services.”
The Asia Internet Coalition – a group of the world’s largest internet companies, including Facebook, Twitter and Apple – says the law gives leaders unprecedented power to censor citizens.
“This would significantly undermine freedom of expression and represent a regressive step after years of progress,” said the coalition.