In the aftermath of the February 2021 coup in Myanmar, the military junta swiftly moved to tighten its grip on power, implementing severe restrictions on communication channels and digital freedoms. Myanmar once heralded for its nascent steps towards democracy, saw a surge in internet usage following the easing of censorship in 2011. This period marked a transformative era where citizens embraced digital platforms to connect, communicate, and voice opinions freely. With the military’s return to power in 2021, internet freedoms rapidly eroded. On February 8, 2021, within a week of the coup, the Military Council released the Cyber Security Law (Draft) drafted by the military and passed it into law which punishes anyone who resists the junta’s digital and internet restrictions.
The junta swiftly imposed internet blackouts, restricted access to social media platforms, and intensified surveillance of digital communications blocking social media, independent news media, and civil society websites. The most popular social media platform Facebook (Meta) was one of the earliest platforms that was banned soon after the military grabbed power. The public quickly turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to resist the military’s unlawful restriction. VPNs became indispensable for circumventing state-imposed firewalls, accessing blocked websites, and safeguarding online privacy. Therefore, among the tools wielded to stifle dissent and control information flow is the systematic blocking of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), a lifeline for many seeking uncensored access to the global internet. With minimal success in banning FB in three years, the junta now came up with new technology in its attempt to completely ban VPNs and to develop a new social media platform called MySpace for Myanmar users. The junta again imposed a new VPN ban on May 30, 2024, stepping up its surveillance and censorship program and furthering its digital dictatorship. Since the ban was imposed on May 30, internet traffic has significantly dropped and there have been complaints from the online businesses, remote IT workers and students.
On June 19, 2024, Justice for Myanmar reported that the Myanmar military junta had leveled up its digital dictatorship with the help of two Chinese technological companies, brokered by the crony-owned Mascots Group of Companies. Leaked documents reveal that Geedge Networks, founded by Fang Binxing, known as the architect of China’s Great Firewall, is developing two products for the Myanmar junta’s surveillance and censorship system. Additionally, China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC), also associated with Fang Binxing, is implicated in a proposed location tracking system for Myanmar’s Communications Ministry under junta control, JFM reported.
Arrests and threats related to VPN usage have been increasing. The junta focuses its efforts on targeting Facebook, the most popular social media platform among Myanmar people, used for accessing the latest news, fundraising campaigns, and organizing anti-military activities. In addition to arresting people based on their Facebook activities against the military, the junta is increasingly targeting VPN usage as it indicates access to Facebook, which is banned by the military. There are reports of authorities checking the phones of people on the streets, in tea shops, and even in residential homes for VPN usage, threatening them and extorting money. Military spokesperson Zaw Min Htun addressed to the BBC, denying reports of arresting people on the streets for VPN usage and extortion, labeling it as false information. However, he confirmed that the military is indeed developing advanced technology to enforce a VPN ban. He likened this effort to actions taken by the United States in banning TikTok, suggesting a comparison in governmental measures regarding digital platforms.
A Yangon resident interviewed by Mohinga Matters expressed frustration over the junta’s restrictions on accessing information and news. She emphasized that Facebook is her primary source for staying informed about current events within the country, stating, “We cannot trust the junta’s news.” She pointed out the discrepancy between official reports and what she learns through Facebook, citing the example of a monk shot by soldiers, which the junta attributed to the PDF but which she believes she learned the truth through Facebook. Regarding concerns about being arrested for using Facebook with a VPN, she revealed cautious behavior, stating, “I never bring my phone when I go outside. I deleted everything and downloaded the apps again when I came home.” Despite the latest VPN restrictions imposed by the junta, she highlighted the existence of a dependable community that shares information on which VPNs are effective and compatible with various phone models, enabling continued access to Facebook.
A developer who has relocated abroad and worked in the IT industry for a decade mentioned that it is technically feasible for the junta to completely ban VPNs, similar to China’s approach. However, she noted that even in China, people can still access Facebook using VPNs that manage to bypass restrictions. The developer emphasized that new technologies continually evolve to circumvent VPN bans, although they acknowledged that such bans make accessing information more challenging for users.
As Myanmar’s struggle for democracy persists, so too does the battle for digital freedom. The resilience of VPN users underscores the indomitable spirit of a population determined to resist authoritarian control. Yet, challenges remain daunting. The risks of using VPNs under military rule loom large, threatening not only individual safety but also the broader fabric of digital resilience and right to information.
