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Due to the intense crackdown, many activists have decided to leave Vietnam in order to avoid constant harassment and possible arrest. However, even those who escape may not be safe. In April 2023, YouTuber and blogger, Duong Van Thai, went missing in Thailand where he had lived since 2019 and being granted refugee status by the United Nations419. According to media reports, he was abducted by Vietnamese authorities420. A video footage from a home security camera shows Bui’s motorbike being blocked by two cars before being physically subdued and taken away 421 . A few days later, Vietnamese authorities announced his arrest. As his posts and videos criticized the government and leaders of the CPV, he was charged under Article 117 of the Criminal Code for “propaganda against the state”. The government stated that he had “collected information and documents to edit and write articles, recorded video clips with illegal content, and distributed them on the Internet.”422 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 The incident affirms that Thailand is not a safe place for Vietnamese activists. In 2019, blogger Truong Duy Nhat was also reportedly abducted by police in Thailand before resurfacing in Vietnam later 423 . Nguyen Tien Trung who is now a political refugee in Germany, also reported that he experienced being tracked down by Vietnamese agents in Bangkok. He said that this is the reason why he decided to ask for help for resettlement 424. Duong’s abduction has alerted other activists who are living in Thailand to be more careful with their own safety. Among them is activist Doan Chuong Huy, a close friend of Duong. Doan stated that he does not leave his residence unless he has to, and he would prefer to always have people with him425. State authorities closely monitor those who choose to remain in Vietnam. In 2023, several activists and their relatives said that authorities have installed surveillance cameras near their homes426. Among them “Vietnam Arrests Blogger Who Went Missing in Thailand in April.” Radio Free Asia, 20 July 2023, www.rfa. org/english/news/vietnam/thai-07202023162231.html. Peter, Zsombor. “Friends of Vietnamese Dissident Suspect State-Sponsored Abduction in Thailand.” Voice of America, 27 Apr. 2023, www.voanews.com/a/friends-of-vietnamese-dissident-suspect-state-sponsoredabduction-in-thailand/7068440.html. “Screams From Abducted Vietnamese Blogger Heard on Thai Security Camera Video.” Benar News, 28 Apr. 2023, www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/blogger-abducted-04282023165128.html. “Vietnam Arrests Blogger Who Went Missing in Thailand in April.” Radio Free Asia, 20 July 2023, www.rfa. org/english/news/vietnam/thai-07202023162231.html. “Jailed Vietnamese RFA Blogger Forced to Work Long Hours With Injured Back.” Radio Free Asia, 11 Dec. 2020, www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/injured-12112020152745.html. “Interview: Vietnamese Activist Who Evaded Agents to Flee to Germany.” Benar News, 20 Dec. 2023, www. benarnews.org/english/news/thai/interview-vietnamese-activist-germany-12202023140849.html. Peter, Zsombor. “Friends of Vietnamese Dissident Suspect State-Sponsored Abduction in Thailand.” Voice of America, 27 Apr. 2023, www.voanews.com/a/friends-of-vietnamese-dissident-suspect-state-sponsoredabduction-in-thailand/7068440.html. “Vietnamese Dissidents, Families Filmed by the Police.” Radio Free Asia, 19 Dec. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/ news/vietnam/vietnam-dissident-cameras-12192023003631.html. 108

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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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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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