enhances the reach of information, it lacks regulation. In Myanmar, over the years, Facebook’s algorithm amplified the military’s pages, violating its own community standard policies.26 Having one such page that incites violence or spreads misinformation shared by the junta leads to a (re)direction to multiple pages of that kind. 27 Additionally, in one such page, an image of protests in Myanmar with black flags were misrepresented as the terrorist organisation, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. 28 The coup led to migration of Internet users from Facebook to Twitter, which subsequently exposed a similar incapability of the latter to verify information easily and quickly. For instance, from our observations, Twitter does not have a mechanism to verify sources of videos or images on its platform. For instance, it was unclear in some instances whether images of dead people wrapped in sheets that were circulating on the platform resulted from military atrocities or the COVID-19 pandemic.29 Like Facebook, Twitter’s inadequacies in the areas of content moderation and fact-checking are highly problematic in the context of the CDM.30 The CDM also highlighted the limitations of social media use against the backdrop of prolonged Internet shutdowns. The shutdowns undoubtedly impacted the momentum of collective action, as not all users managed to connect to VPNs. This prompted reliance on short message service (SMS) or even phone calls to communicate, which impacted the protest in various ways. For example, while SMSs allowed protests to continue to some extent, the information forwarded via SMS is difficult to verify, making this an unreliable or unsustainable solution in the long run. 31 Nonetheless, while social media was not the only factor driving the CDM, it has played a crucial role in the origins and sustenance of the movement. It has kept the issue alive at the international stage, as well as given its supporters a lifeline to continue in their advocacy and resistance, both nationally and globally. Perspectives from India India has been closely watching developments unfold in Myanmar. Of particular interest are the stalled democratic process and rule of law, as well as the implications of the protest movement on economic and infrastructure development, and implications for trade. While China still has considerable influence in Myanmar, India will also be watching with interest 26 27 28 29 30 31 “Digital Threats, Algorithm of harm: Facebook amplified Myanmar military propaganda following coup”, Global Witness, 23 June 2021: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/digital-threats/algorithmharm-facebook-amplified-myanmar-military-propaganda-following-coup/. Ibid. Ibid. Official Myanmar COVID-19 Deaths Exceed 10,000, The Irrawaddy, 3 August 2021. Accessed on 25 September 2021, https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/official-myanmar-covid-19-death-updatesexceed-10000.html. “Twitter and SMS: Myanmar’s new frontiers of fear”, Frontier Myanmar, 24 February 2021, https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/twitter-and-sms-myanmars-new-frontiers-of-fear/. Ibid. 8