A/HRC/39/CRP.2 networks offer specific deals privileging access to Facebook. 2978 In July 2016, Facebook and Myanmar Post and Telecommunications jointly launched “Free Basics” and “Facebook Flex” in Myanmar.2979 Facebook Flex is a product that enables subscribers to have a text-only version of Facebook without incurring data charges. Free Basics provided access to basic services without data charges on their mobile phones, with the stated intention of providing people with an opportunity to “experience” the value and relevance of connectivity to the Internet for free but with access only to a limited number of sites. Free Basics was discontinued in Myanmar in September 2017. Between July 2016 and September 2017, people in Myanmar could use it to access a basic version of Facebook and a number of utilitarian applications and content sources. 2980 It has been reported that, when people buy a smartphone, especially when they are unfamiliar with the Internet, shopkeepers offer to create and install a Facebook account for the customer. 2981 1345. The relative unfamiliarity of the population with the Internet and with digital platforms and the easier and cheaper access to Facebook have led to a situation in Myanmar where Facebook is the Internet. It has become the main mode of communication among the public and a regularly used tool for the Myanmar authorities to reach the public. The President, the State Counsellor, the Commander-in-Chief, the Ministry of Information, the Tatmadaw and other key governmental institutions rely on Facebook to release news and information. Media outlets like Eleven Media (17 million followers), 7 Days News (20.8 million followers), The Irrawaddy (12 million followers), Mizzima (12 million followers) and BBC Burmese (13.9 million followers) use Facebook as a main way of disseminating articles. For many people, Facebook is the main, if not only, platform for online news and for using the Internet more broadly. In a context of low digital and social media literacy, the Government’s use of Facebook for official announcements and sharing of information further contributes to users’ perception of Facebook as a reliable source of information. 1346. Facebook serves to connect people, often cited by the company as its main aim, and it facilitates communication and access to information. It can and has been used in many ways to enhance democracy and the enjoyment of human rights. However, the wide reach, relative user anonymity, and difficulty of monitoring or removing posts also make it a suitable instrument to spread messages that may constitute hate speech, including advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. It is unsurprising that propagators of hate speech resort to Facebook to wage hate campaigns, amplify their message, and reach new audiences. In addition to hate speech, Facebook has also been widely used to spread misinformation, including by government officials and the Tatmadaw, as illustrated above. 1347. Allegations that posts and messages on Facebook have increased discrimination and violence in Myanmar are rife, in particular where the posts and messages are framed in terms of an alleged Islamic “takeover” or Muslims harming Buddhists (especially women). For example, posts early in 2012 about the alleged rape and murder by Rohingya men of a Buddhist woman were reportedly shared widely and are considered to have contributed to the tension and violence in Rakhine State in that year.2982 Similarly, posts about an alleged 2978 2979 2980 2981 2982 340 reached 10 million; see C. Trautwein, “Facebook racks up 10m Myanmar users” (Myanmar Times, 13 June 2016). For example, MyTel offers to use Facebook to register users’ SIM cards and in exchange users receive six months of free data for exclusive use on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mytelmyanmar/posts/394974640914463). TML has packages that offer 1GB free for exclusive use on Facebook when users recharge a certain amount (https://www.telenor.com.mm/en/offer/facebook-free; https://www.telenor.com.mm/en/offer/everyday-fb-bonus) and Facebook-exclusive data rates that are cheaper than ordinary data plans (https://www.telenor.com.mm/en/offer/myanmar%E2%80%99scheapest-facebook-pack). Also Oreedoo and MPT have cheaper data plans for social media, including Facebook (http://mpt.com.mm/en/home/mobile-services/data/; http://www.ooredoo.com.mm/en/Personal/Promotions/2017/08/01/Facebook-Plus-Pack.aspx). Submission from Facebook. Submission from Facebook. B-004, B-005. K-101; see also chapter V, section C.1: Violence in 2012 – Emblematic incidents.