Asia Centre has released a report voicing concerns over the Myanmar military junta’s efforts to interfere with the internet and the free flow of information.

As the centre notes, Since the 1 February 2021 coup d'état, any liberalisation of the internet in Myanmar has been halted. In the last decade, Myanmar experienced huge digital infrastructure growth, increased connectivity, and a less censored and more free online landscape.

However, threatened by the internet’s ability to facilitate democracy, national internet shutdowns have been enacted, and systematic harassment and persecution of dissenting social media users intensified. There have also been sporadic reports, citing incidents of destruction of internet infrastructure.

Asia Centre’s report; “Myanmar: Dismantling Dissent - Crackdowns on Internet Freedoms” examines these developments. The report was launched online on 2 July 2021.

Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, explained that “freedoms of expression online in Myanmar have never before been subjected to these intense levels of criminalisation”.

He said, “digital freedom of expression and full public access to information needs to be restored and protected. Myanmar must repeal the offending legislative provisions and withdraw all attempts to control telecommunication infrastructure.”

This report outlines in detail the tactics of control over Myanmar’s digital landscape, analysing the multitude of tools and tactics utilised by the military junta in its campaign to dismantle online dissent since the 1 February coup d'état.