Myanmar’s Internet Shutdowns: Silencing Resistance in the Battle for Connectivity | FULCRUM 1/24/25, 10:44 AM I n the aftermath of Myanmar’s February 2021 military coup, the junta has weaponised internet shutdowns in-country, targeting resistance-controlled areas. By severing the opposition’s communication channels, the regime aims to stifle dissent, isolate these forces, and weaken the coordination of prodemocracy elements. The deliberate blackouts have profound implications not only for Myanmar citizens’ freedom of expression but also for the safety, livelihoods, and survival of affected communities. The tactic of governments using internet shutdowns is neither new nor limited to Myanmar: Freedom House has uncovered its ubiquitous usage in countries across the democratic spectrum. The junta has aggressively deployed such tactics in Myanmar’s civil war, simultaneously with armed attacks. The Myanmar Internet Project has recorded 329 shutdowns since February 2021. Resistance-controlled areas, particularly the Sagaing and Magway regions and the Kachin state, bear the brunt, as they are where some of the most intense fighting with the Myanmar army occurs. ATHAN reports that all 330 townships in Myanmar have experienced some form of communications blackout (meaning telephone and/or internet outages) since the coup. For the junta, taking these areas off-grid is a two-pronged strategy: to disrupt the flow of information among resistance groups and to isolate these areas from global attention. Without access to Wi-Fi, local activists and communities struggle to document and share real-time information about military atrocities. This in turn limits the international community’s ability to hold the junta accountable. Myanmar’s junta understands the power of the internet in modern resistance movements. Online platforms are vital tools for organising protests, sharing news, and rallying support. Consequently, the junta has introduced different versions of a draconian cybersecurity law. The most recent (effective 1 January 2025) bans the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and imposes strict surveillance measures. For instance, violators can face up to six months in prison and a fine for an unauthorised VPN installation or service. This rule is apparently applicable to overseas Myanmar nationals too. Criminalising the use of VPNs, a lifeline for civilians and anti-regime groups to bypass censorship, further isolates Myanmar’s people from the outside world. It makes it even harder for them to access critical information, communicate https://fulcrum.sg/myanmars-internet-shutdowns-silencing-resistance-in-the-battle-for-connectivity/ Page 2 of 5