Myanmar Junta Planning a Digital Coup

Myanmar’s military regime is attempting to establish digital authoritarianism by imposing Internet shutdowns and restrictions on Internet access including increased data charges, state surveillance, online censorship and information control.

The regime started to target people over their social media posts early last year. But there were either few arrests or the arrests were not known about.

Over the past year the junta has also focused on gathering intelligence on the network supplying the revolutionary forces, the National Unity Government, [its parliamentary body] the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, and the People’s Defense Forces. They use technology to track them.

In terms of administrative power, the military has arrested National League for Democracy government members and dissolved parliament in Naypyitaw. And to control civic space, it has taken measures to control the flow of information. Those measures include crackdowns on protests, arresting members of civil society organizations and Internet shutdowns.

VIA The Irrawaddy