SHRINKING DEMOCRACY, GROWING VIOLENCE 32 When considered alongside actions of the State Administration Council (SAC) to imprison those who criticize the junta or show support for the resistance online, to implement biometric surveillance, and to target journalists by revoking media licenses, it is clear freedom of expression is severely restricted in all forms in Myanmar.146 compared with 2021 and 2022 when shutdowns were highly localized, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2023, 64 shutdown orders affected more than one district in the same state, province, or region, driven by 47 shutdowns in Manipur but also including the statewide shutdown in Punjab in March. In January 2024, residents in Rakhine State were suffering not only an ongoing military blockade and travel ban, but also an ongoing internet shutdown impacting 17 townships.147 The disruption has had a significant impact on the flow of information, safety, and humanitarian support, without independent media on the ground to verify events or combat disinformation during the escalating conflict. At the time of writing, there were 80 townships nationwide facing ongoing shutdowns, highlighting the continuing and dire situation for connectivity in Myanmar.148 From May 3 to December 3, 2023, the government of Manipur imposed a statewide shutdown affecting roughly 3.2 million people for 212 days (including a break of only three days) through a series of 44 published shutdown orders. 150 It changed in scope and scale throughout the year, primarily impacting mobile networks but also including a statewide shutdown of broadband and mobile internet lasting twoand-a-half months. The impacts were severe, particularly for women, as the shutdowns made it more difficult to document rampant atrocities, including murder, rape, arson, and other genderbased violence, and thereby hold perpetrators accountable.151 We and our partners urge the international community to establish and commit resources for a coordinated action plan to provide the people of Myanmar with alternative access to the internet and other communication channels, which are critical for protecting lives and fundamental human rights. Companies must be held accountable for their failure to create protection mechanisms for their users or provide transparency about how their networks and services are abused by the military.149 India India was responsible for 116 shutdowns in 2023, the highest number of shutdown orders worldwide for the sixth consecutive year. Authorities in India continue to use shutdowns as a near-default response to crises, both proactively and reactively. Authorities in India increasingly implemented shutdowns at a regional rather than local level, In the state of Punjab, authorities blocked internet access impacting about 27 million people across the state for four continuous days — one of the country’s most extensive blackouts in recent years — as police 146 Myanmar Internet Project (2024). Examining the Situation of Digital Repression in Myanmar in 2023. https://www. myanmarinternet.info/post/blog_014-1/ 147 Radio Free Asia (2024). Two-month travel ban extended in western Myanmar. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/ rakhine-travel-ban-02222024060301.html/; see also The Irrawaddy (2024). Rakhine state registration holders military council travel restrictions. https://burma.irrawaddy.com/news/2024/03/20/381225.html/ 148 See, e.g., Rehmonnya FM (@Rehmonnya FM). Facebook post. 8:34 am. March 27, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/ rehmonnyafm/videos/1749056002286449/ 149 Access Now (2024). A call for global solidarity and decisive action to end Myanmar’s military rule and ensure victory for the people resisting dictatorship. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/statement-myanmar-coup-en/ 150 Access Now (2023). Manipur, India, internet shutdowns; stop shielding abuse against women. https://www.accessnow.org/ press-release/india-internet-shutdowns-women/; National Commission on Population (2020). Report Of The Technical Group On Population Projections. https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Population%20Projection%20Report%202011-2036%20 -%20upload_compressed_0.pdf/ 151 Ibid. Access Now (2023).