Crackdown on Digital Rights: Online Expression in the Face of Oppression in Myanmar Report No. 36 | September 2026 This report is intended to assist policymakers and interested groups both within and outside Myanmar. The data covers the period from February 1, 2022, to August 31, 2026. Key Messages • Over the five years since the military coup, 2,029 individuals have been arrested for their online expression on social media or digital platforms opposing the Myanmar military and supporting pro-democracy movements or resistance groups. • In 2022, when the arrests began, 874 individuals were detained. Compared to that initial year, the annual number of arrests has steadily declined. • Online users were arrested across 227 townships, with the majority from Yangon and Mandalay regions. • In 2026, the scope of these arrests expanded to target individuals who simply commented on or shared dissenting political opinions, rather than being limited to those deemed direct security threats. Key Figures 2,029 26 969 35% Total Number of Total Number of Total Number of Percentage of Arrests Arrests in 2026 Arrests in Yangon and Women in Total Mandalay Regions Arrests