5/25/22, 2:24 PM Project monitors social media hate speech | The Myanmar Times An SOS discussion in Bhamo covers information on Facebook, stressing that not everything you read online is true. Photos: Supplied Project monitors social media hate speech In 2012, Myanmar’s mobile penetration was estimated at just 4 percent. By June 2015, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology reported it had reached 50pc, a 12fold increase in just three years. But as Myanmar has leapfrogged into the 21st century, the advent of social media apps like Facebook and YouTube have led to dangerous new avenues for hate speech. In 2012 and 2014, serial conflicts between Buddhists and Muslims were set off by Facebook posts accusing Muslims of committing sexual assault. These violent flashpoints quickly escalated from touchscreens to widespread community clashes. Hundreds of civilians have died. With more than 18 million internet users in Myanmar – 10 million of which use Facebook – the danger posed by internet hate speech has led NGO Mido to launch a project to Save Online Space (SOS). “As social media are the most commonly used [apps] in Myanmar, everyone from the online community is affecting things offline and outside, too,” said Chit Su Wai Aung, a representative from the SOS project. “I believe that there will only be peace offline if there is peace online.” The project, launched in October 2015 and wrapping up in May, monitors Myanmar Facebook pages for six indicators of hate speech: threats, accusations, dehumanisations, encouragement of violence, bullying and harassment. SOS then reports accounts that talk about hate speech to the local media each month. Members of the initiative have also travelled to areas such as Magwe, Bago, Mawlamyine and dozens of others around the country to offer training about Facebook privacy, digital security, news literacy and finding accurate news sources. Their message is simple: Technology must come with awareness from the users. https://www.mmtimes.com/lifestyle/19874-project-monitors-social-media-hate-speech.html 2/6