Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar “Last year, the Department of Post and Telecommunications under the military junta announced that users are required to register SIM cards by filling out personal data such as name and national identity card number. This compulsory SIM registration is a move to facilitate finding, arresting, and suppressing those engaged in anti-junta activities. It perpetuates the culture of fear and silence because the individuals participating in any resistance activities can easily be identified if the junta found out information about activities associated with that mobile phone number. The military junta increased taxes on SIM cards and internet services last year is another way of restricting information flow without imposing an internet blackout. There is now a 20,000 to 30,000 Myanmar Kyat (7-10 USD) commercial tax on SIM cards and a 15 percent tax on internet services. The internet gets pricier, but the quality of service drops dramatically – the internet speed gets slower and more unstable.” (KII_08, a woman digital rights activist and privacy advocate) What do you think about the affordability of internet use after 2021 February Much Easier 0.6% Nothing Changes 8.0% Much Harder Somewhat Harder 58.9% 32.6% Figure 3: Impact on affordability of internet use for women after the coup 23