1/12/24, 11:44 AM Examining the Situation of Digital Repression in Myanmar in 2023 Due to the internet shutdown, people who live in Chin State were unable to receive timely information about the powerful Cyclone Mokha that struck in May 2023. As a result, residents who settled in Chin State were dismissed to protect against the risk of Cyclone. The purpose behind the SAC's decisions to shut down and reopen the internet can be challenging to predict and understand at times. On January 4, 2023, SAC reopened the internet with Atom Sims in the long-internet shutdown area of Hapakan located in Kachin state. This included areas such as Myinmu, Sarlingyi, Ayardaw, Yinmarbin, MinKin, Kanbalu, Kathar, Kawlin, Budalin, Ye-U, Debayin, KhinOo, Inn Daw, Kyunhla situated in Sagaing. After that, it was shut down again on January 5, according to the comments of residents who wrote under the BBC news. That situation occurred in Mindat, Chin State, with the Atom Sim Card. When we observed the internet shutdown trends for this year, it was found that the SAC implemented internet shutdowns in the targeted conflict areas. On April 17, there was a mobile phone and WiFi internet shutdown in Hakha, Chin State. IIn April 2023, there was a lot of confrontation between SAC and the revolutionary forces. SAC conducted more than 40 airstrikes, resulting in at least 19 civilian casualties. According to the report from RFA, many religious buildings and a significant number of civilian homes were destroyed. On June 27, there was an internet shutdown in Loikaw, Karah (Karenni) State. Kayah (Kareni) State is also the area where the military forces of SAC and the Karenni Defense alliance force fought fiercely. The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) reported that 26 civilians were killed by SAC's weapons in MoeByal, located on the Karah (Karenni) border and Southern Shan State, between June 6th and 8th. From February 2021 to June 2023, Karah (Karenni) experienced 729 battles and was frequently subjected to internet shutdowns. On July 6, there was a mobile phone connection shutdown by SAC. It was found that on 28th June, Moebye in Southern Shan State was subjected to an offensive by the SAC after the mobile and internet connections were cut. On September 2, the Ayarwaddy Times News Agency reported that townships along the Sittaung River basin, such as Phyu, KyaukTaga, Mone, KyaukKyi, and Yaytarshae located in East Bago, experienced fierce battles, leading to the shutdown of internet connections for about a month. After the commencement of Operation 1027 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (TLNA, MNDAA, and AA), areas of conflict emerged between the SAC and the ethnic alliance and revolutionary forces in Theinni, Laukkai, and Muse in Northern Shan State, Kawlin in Sagaing Division, Paletwa in Chin State, Pauktaw in Rakhine State, Kyarinnseikkyi in Kayin State, 18 townships including Myitkyina in Kachin State and 20 villages in Kyaikmayaw, Mon State mobile phone connections and internet services have been shut down in these regions. Throughout 2023, there were at least 72 instances of internet and/or mobile phone shutdowns across the 62 townships in Myanmar. The shutdown affected townships span various regions, including 3 in Chin State, 4 in Bago Division, 18 in Kachin State, 7 in Kayah State, 1 in Kayin State, 1 in Mon State, 1 in Magway State, 5 in Shan State, 5 in Rakhine State and 17 in Sagaing Region. https://www.myanmarinternet.info/post/blog_014-1 6/8