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the second time. The amendments place the broadcasting council under direct military control and remove its autonomous and independent nature outlined in the original provisions199, 200. blocked websites. The law also banned the use of digital currencies, which is likely aimed at blocking effor ts to finance pro-democracy activities201. 3. Meanwhile, the proposed cybersecurity law, circulated days after the coup, is still not enacted. The proposal was intended to replace the 2004 Electronic Transactions Law but received pushback from business leaders in the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Myanmar Computer Federation. A new draft was then circulated in early 2022, but there was still no report of its passage as of the end of 2023. The 2022 draft makes it illegal to post anything on social media platforms that would threaten national solidarity or constitute a personal attack. It would grant authorities with the power to inspect and intervene on any computer system suspected of security threats. The Ministry of Transport and Communications would also be empowered to temporarily take control of devices related to digital platform services. Moreover, it also requires prior official approval to establish or use virtual private networks (VPNs) or similar technology that enable people to access the 199 200 201 202 Information Control and Manipulation Many tactics are used by the military to control and manipulate online information in every possible way. The tactics that have been observed into 2023 include restriction of internet, media crackdown, controlling of telecommunication service providers, and censorship. One of the first steps undertaken by the military after staging the coup in February 2021 was to block the internet services nationwide. Internet connectivity was restored later but services are unavailable in areas controlled by resistance forces. In 2023, anti-junta forces made available satellite internet services in their strongholds. The service is provided by Starlink, which is operated by SpaceX, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk. According to reports, the service was available in over 60 areas in Sagaing and Magway divisions as well as in the Karenni and Kachin states202. “Junta Amendment Kneecaps Myanmar Broadcasting Oversight.” Radio Free Asia, 17 Nov. 2023, www. rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/amendment-11172023172851.html. “Junta Completes Stranglehold on Myanmar Media With Law Change.” The Irrawaddy, 21 Nov. 2023, www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/junta-completes-stranglehold-on-myanmar-media-with-law-change.html. “Junta Makes Another Bid to Introduce Draconian Cyber Law.” Myanmar Now, 25 Jan. 2022, myanmarnow.org/en/news/junta-makes-another-bid-to-introduce-draconian-cyber-law. “Anti-junta Forces Set up Satellite-based Internet Service in 60 Areas.” Radio Free Asia, 19 Dec. 2023, www. rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-satellite-internet-12192023223105.html. 60

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

Report

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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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2023-Annual-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
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Myanmar Internet Project

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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