Previous 66 / 111 Next

The military also introduced the electronic identification (e-ID) system in 2023. The e-IDs collect biometric and biographic data of citizens, permanent residents, and tax-paying foreigners living in the country241. In November 2022, the Myanmar military required all mobile users to register their SIM Cards242. By July 2023, telecommunication service providers that still sold unregistered SIM cards were fined 100,000 USD243. The military also threatened mobile phone service sellers and users with six months in prison if they sold unregistered SIMs244. The e-ID and SIM card registration makes it easier to trace and identify suspected pro-democracy and resistance activists. 241 242 243 244 With each passing year, the safety of those who demand democracy in the country becomes more precarious, which is a reason why more and more people leave the country. Those who remain fear being monitored and harassed due to their political stances. Ordinary citizens are also living under an environment where they are under constant watch and subject to random checks. “Biometric Data Collected for ‘e-ID’ System; Brokers Defraud Burmese Migrants in Thailand.” DVB, 30 Aug. 2023, english.dvb.no/biometric-data-collected-for-e-id-system-brokers-defraud-burmese-migrants-in-thailand. “Dept. of Telecommunications Issue a Statement on SIM Card Registration.” Eleven Media Group, 4 Nov. 2022, elevenmyanmar.com/news/dept-of-telecommunications-issue-a-statement-on-sim-card-registration. Zan, Hein Htoo. “Myanmar Telecos Hit by US$ 100,000 Fines for Breaking SIM Rules.” The Irrawaddy, 23 July 2023, www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-telecos-hit-by-us-100000-fines-for-breaking-sim-rules. html. “Junta Threatens Prison Terms for Unregistered SIM Card Users.” Radio Free Asia, 27 Sept. 2023, www.rfa. org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-sim-cards-09272023045517.html. 66

Select target paragraph3

● ● ●

Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

Report

Preview

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.

Link: source

Primary Documents

2023-Annual-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
English
Download View

Myanmar Internet Project

Select target paragraph3

Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

Primary Documents

Notifications