The military regime enacted a new cybersecurity law on January 1, imposing prison sentences and fines for cyber misuse and online gambling ina move critics argue aims to further suppress dissent.
According to an official from the Myanmar Internet Project (MIP), which has conducted an initial study of the law, the new legislation retains provisions that would deliberately oppress internet users, rather than safeguard the public.
The MIP official said that the law will not be used with digital rights in mind. Instead, it will likely be utilised “as another weapon to further oppression.”Critics say the law will further criminalise VPN use, intensify surveillance, and silence dissent, isolating Myanmar and enabling unchecked military violence.
Based on the new provisions, the storing or sharing of information about “terrorist groups” via electronic technology and social networks will be monitored, and information shared on devices like phones, computers, or on the internet. . .
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