1/12/24, 11:44 AM Examining the Situation of Digital Repression in Myanmar in 2023 (2) Surveillance the Digital Activities of the Public Not only implements the SAC to monitor freedom of expression of the residents in the digital space, but also make the plans for mass surveillance. In 2023, Main implementation program for the mass surveillance of public’s activities is the E-ID system developed by SAC. In 2023, the main implementation program for mass surveillance of the public's activities by SAC is developing the E-ID system. If completed the Smart Card implementation process, SAC gets the whole biometric data set of the citizen. Using the collected data, it can surveillance including business and political affairs and also all of the activities of the individuals. Using the collected data, it can conduct surveillance on business and political affairs, as well as monitor all the activities of individuals. 2.1 SAC’s Biometric Data Collection and E-ID Implementation Footsteps SAC began implementing Biometric Data Collection training in October 2022, launching it as a pilot project in Pathein, Irrawaddy Division, in March 2023. On 30 March 2023, SAC conducted Biometric Data Collection in Pyinmana, NayPyiDaw. Furthermore, SAC organized training sessions for Biometric Data Enrollment and UID Management System Application in different regions. Photo from SAC's newspaper showcasing the biological data collection course held in the Bago Region According to the report of MOI’s Telegram channel, several across townships located in Tanintharyi Division, Bago Division, Yangon Division, Irrawaddy Division, Mandalay Division, Naypyidaw, Rakhine State, Mon States and Southern Shan, the biometric data collection was conducted. SAC’s SAC's Minister U Myint Kyaing reported that over seven hundred thousand biometric data entries had been collected by August 10, 2023. In order to complete the biometric data collection process, SAC pressured the people who reside in some township of Yangon to request recommendation letters from ward administration offices and Immigration offices if they would like to travel. https://www.myanmarinternet.info/post/blog_014-1 3/8