Myanmar’s Military Leaders Are Bent on Internet Crackdown

The hostile situation in the nation of Myanmar is further escalating. This is in light of how military officials and security agencies are using all manner of force in overturning the popular opinion of the Myanmar population.

A while ago, the military staged a successful coup despite a landslide victory for Ms Aung San Suu Kyi in the recently held election. The military issued claims that the electoral process was fraught with malpractice. However, this claim has been debunked by the nation’s electoral commission, as well as many of the populace.

However, this has not motivated the military to hand over power to the democratically elected government of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi who has since been arrested with charges of having illegal communication devices in her possession.

How Myanmar Military Leaders are Resorting to Internet Crackdown

Of late, the military administration decided to crack down on the activities of its citizens using Facebook. It cited reasons hinged on disaster management for this. This is a strategic way to curb the people, given that many activists and opposition groups coordinate their activities via the online platform.

However, the dictatorial administration is taking things further. This is considering the order for internet service providers to shut down the activities of platforms such as Twitter and Instagram in the region. This no doubt proves that the military administration is bent on cracking down these digital platforms, given how it can help remove them from power.

Internet Service Providers Are in a Difficult Position

Given the recent order by the nation’s Transport and Communication ministry, internet service providers in the region are definitely in a difficult position. However, service providers like Telenor Myanmar have aired their views on how these orders are not in alliance with international laws. This is even though within the territory, these laws do not contradict any regulation.

The populace is not taking this and many other issues lying low. For instance, there have been protests for about three days as citizens took to the streams to express their displeasure. This is despite the mandatory state of emergency imposed by the military administration.