8/17/25, 11:46 AM Surveillance and Suppression in Post-Coup Myanmar | Atlas Institute for International Affairs The Internet is now a major source of information shaping worldviews and political beliefs. Weaponisation involves using information, true, false, or biased, in ways that cause harm or manipulation (McLoughlin, 2023). Threats can come from individuals, groups, or even AI-powered algorithms and large language models. Digital repression in Myanmar goes beyond passive surveillance. For example, three years since the coup, the Junta have conducted internet shutdowns and telecom jamming ahead of military assaults which fuelled widespread arrests, with thousands of activists, journalists, and civilians arbitrarily detained (Htwe, 2025). In addition, the Junta actively deployed disinformation campaigns through state-controlled and fake social media accounts to discredit opposition movements, distort facts, and justify its grip on power (Htwe, 2025). Currently, mobile internet shutdowns, the arrest of elected officials, and the silencing of independent media have become routine (Selth, 2025). Surveillance systems in major cities now include CCTV cameras with license plate and facial recognition capabilities, further expanding the regime’s ability to monitor and intimidate its population (Selth, 2025). Most recently, the Junta banned major VPN services, cutting citizens off from secure access to blocked apps like Facebook and messaging platforms (Padmanabhan et al., 2021). Authorities also randomly inspect phones under anti-terror laws, seizing VPN apps and detaining users (Padmanabhan et al., 2021). These operations are used below the threshold of war, allowing plausible deniability and making attribution difficult (Coppel and Chang, 2024). Consequently, feedback loops are occurring, where responses are creating secondary threats, leading to echo chambers and escalating tensions. Civil Conflict and Humanitarian Consequences Myanmar’s political instability is intertwined with long-standing civil wars, ethnic tensions, and colonial legacies. Military campaigns against ethnic minorities, most notably the ongoing Rohingya conflict that has created a deepseated humanitarian emergency (Debnath et al.,2022) Additionally, armed clashes in Kachin and Shan states have caused mass displacement, food insecurity, and the erosion of public services (King, 2022). International actors should expand sanctions on companies linked to the military and restrict military access to surveillance technology. Additionally, support for international legal mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and UN investigative bodies, is vital to address war crimes and systemic repression. Finally, tech companies should be vetted and held accountable for enabling surveillance and propaganda in authoritarian regimes. Content moderation and platform transparency must improve in Myanmar’s context. Myanmar today highlights an example of how authoritarian regimes adapt, merging traditional military control with modern digital surveillance to maintain power and suppress dissent. If left unchallenged, the normalisation of these practices risks entrenching authoritarian rule for future generations. The community must recognise This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this,international but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More https://atlasinstitute.org/surveillance-and-suppression-in-post-coup-myanmar/ 2/5