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Country INFORMATION CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN 2023 Myanmar The internet is cut off in areas controlled by resistance forces. All telecommunication service providers in Myanmar are all linked to the military, which facilitates control of online services and communications. The junta also made Telegram as its hub to disseminate pro-military propaganda. The pro-junta media also thrives, while the crackdown on independent media continues. Philippines Pro-Marcos narratives still proliferate on social media platforms after the new president took office. However, the partisan media outlet, Sonshine Media Network International, a channel that supported the presidential tandem of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte is facing legal troubles, likely linked to the rift between the president and vice-president. Singapore Independent media often face harassment through the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, which is used to order entities and individuals to “correct” stories and posts that the government considers as falsehoods. The narratives are often about criticism of the government. Thailand The state-affiliated cyber army has been documented over the years to counter government criticism and spread pro-government propaganda. In the 2023 general election, however, supporters of the Pheu Thai Party have rallied to defend the erstwhile opposition party that joined hands with the military proxy parties to form the government. The primary target is the progressive Move Forward Party. Narratives critical of the royal institution continue to be censored in Thailand. Vietnam The government is highly sensitive of any criticism. The state is in complete control of the media. The government is also notoriously known for its attempts to control social media content as well as the operations of platform companies in the country. Facebook has been reported to comply with government orders. The state-affiliated cyber army, Force 47, is also the government’s weapon to control online narratives in the country. 3. Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition Attacks against dissidents and the political opposition in Southeast Asia may be divided into three methods, namely judicial harassment, attacks by cyber army or pro-regime internet users, and online harassment. The governments continue to use repressive laws and legislation against dissidents and their political opponents. Even ordinary persons are often arrested and prosecuted for online speech criticizing the government or its officials. In authoritarian countries, the judiciary is usually pro-government or pro-status quo resulting in unfair sentences. Legal harassment and persecution results in a chilling effect for public opinion and political discourse both online and offline. This is the common method in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, which have jailed dissidents 17

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions

Author(s)

DigitalReach

Date Published: Aug 6, 2024

Abstract: It is undeniable that information technology has significantly impacted human rights and democracy these days. Different governments around Southeast Asia continually attempt to control digital space through, for example, using repressive laws and regulations, forcing social media platforms to follow their orders, and using spyware and similar technology to surveil critics. In Southeast Asia, democracy and human rights have deteriorated because of these attempts, especially for countries under authoritarian regimes.

In order to better understand the situation, DigitalReach publishes annual reports to present and analyze the events and trends around the region. The 2023 annual report analyzes the digital rights situation in eight countries across Southeast Asia—namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam–from January 2023 to December 2023, with glimpses of key updates into 2024, given the timing of its release.

The report format has been changed completely from the previous years. In order to more systematically present the developments observed, the report is organized into three key areas: (1) Legal and Policy Developments, (2) Information Control and Manipulation, and (3) Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition.

From a regional perspective, legal and policy developments in countries that are known to restrict human rights are still mainly about using or coming up with new policies to further suppress human rights in the digital sphere. Countries considered to be more democratic also attempt to change or repeal their laws, but still without a clear sign of improvement toward digital rights.

In terms of information control and manipulation, social media platforms continue to be deployed for political ends, with different platforms serving a specific purpose for each country. The shift toward short video format, TikTok in particular, continued from 2022 to contribute toward information disorder, especially during election periods. The use of video shorts is important when targeting young voters, who played an important role in determining election results in Thailand and Indonesia this year like they did in the Philippines and Malaysia in 2022. State-sponsored cyber armies were also documented, while some governments preferred to assert more effective control of social media platforms. Other important methods related to the flow of information include suppression of media freedom and internet disruptions, which are particularly severe in Myanmar following the 2021 coup.

Judicial harassment is a key form of threat used against critics and political opposition in 2023. It is still common for people in Southeast Asia to be thrown in jail for what they say or do online. Others who do not subscribe to the government’s ideology face online harassment from state-sponsored cyber armies or government supporters. In terms of surveillance, 5 out of 8 countries included in this report have been found to have or are likely to have spyware technology.

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Myanmar Internet Project

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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