8/17/25, 11:46 AM Surveillance and Suppression in Post-Coup Myanmar | Atlas Institute for International Affairs August 6, 2025 Risk Analysis & Insights, Asia-Pacific, Defence & Security Surveillance and Suppression in Post-Coup Myanmar By Lara Westra More than two years after the 2021 coup, Myanmar remains under military rule, with the Junta using surveillance and digital repression to silence dissent and block democratic progress. Despite the appearance of electoral processes in the past, Myanmar’s political structure has allowed the military to maintain unchecked power (King, 2022). The Tatmadaw’s use of technology, including facial recognition, social media monitoring, and disinformation campaigns, reflects a dangerous evolution from traditional authoritarian tactics to a modern surveillance state (Dean, 2017). These practices have not only oppressed civil society and political opposition but have also exacerbated existing humanitarian crises. A Democratic Façade Since 2011, Myanmar appeared to undergo a transition toward democracy and a market economy. However, this transition was structurally constrained from the beginning. The 2008 Constitution guaranteed military control over three powerful ministries, defence, home affairs, and border affairs, along with ‘25%’ of parliamentary seats and veto power over constitutional amendments (Hlaing, 2012; King, 2022, P.3). The landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the 2020 elections deepened tensions between the civilian government and the military (King, 2022). On February 1, 2021, General Min Aung Hlaing and the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) launched a coup, citing unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud (King, 2022). Despite denials by the Union Election Commission and international election observers such as The Carter Center, the military proceeded to dissolve democratic institutions and assert control (King, 2022). Myanmar’s Internet Weaponisation Tactics While the military’s repressive methods are not particularly novel, their technological sophistication has grown. In previous regimes, such as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Stasi relied on informants, wiretaps, and mail interception to control the population (Domínguez, 2024). Today, Myanmar’s intelligence services use tools such as facial recognition, drone surveillance, internet monitoring, and algorithmic tracking to monitor dissent with far greater reach and efficiency (Htwe, 2025). The Tatmadaw’s Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs (OCMSA), in coordination with the Myanmar Police Force (MPF) and its intelligence arms, including the Special Branch and the Criminal Investigation Department, operates a highly coordinated surveillance network (Dean, 2017). These agencies not only collect information but actively infiltrate protest groups, civil society organizations, and political parties (Dean, 2017). The result is an This website uses to improve your experience. We'll with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More environment thatcookies discourages civic engagement andassume erodesyou're basicokfreedoms. https://atlasinstitute.org/surveillance-and-suppression-in-post-coup-myanmar/ 1/5