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However, in late 2023, resistance forces announced that they have provided satellite-based internet service from Starlink, which is operated by American aerospace company SpaceX31. The service was made available in more than 60 resistance strongholds. The Myanmar military then responded by threatening to prosecute anyone using the unlicensed service32. In Indonesia, the government of Joko Widodo also disrupted internet connection on many occasions. Notably in 2019, the government imposed an internet blackout in the Papua and West Papua provinces 31 32 33 34 from August 22 to September 9 following protests. The government also imposed internet restrictions earlier in May 2019 as part of the government’s security measures following post-election riots in Jakarta. The internet blackout in West Papua and Papua was later ruled by a court to be unlawful33. However, in 2022, internet was again reported to be disrupted in the Wadas Village in Central Java where authorities and villagers have clashed over the government’s development projects34. This indicates that internet disruption can still occur as part of the government’s approach to control information. Country INFORMATION CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN 2023 Cambodia The government has shut down all independent media since the time of the 2018 General Election, while pro-government media had thrived. A state-sponsored cyber army had also been documented, with an aim to protect the government. Hun Sen himself also weaponized social media to favor his regime. Indonesia A state-affiliated cyber army has been documented to manipulate information and to counter criticism of the government. Internet and online service disruptions were common in Indonesia’s conflict areas. In 2023, leading up to the election in the following year, AI was observed to be used in the campaign of all candidates. Malaysia The rise of the Islamist Malaysian Islamic Party since the 2022 General Election has given rise to concerns about the future of the country’s democracy and human rights. The party’s success in two elections in 2022 and 2023 is attributed to its use of social media to highlight race and religious issues. Censorship in Malaysia has also risen in 2023 during the administration of Anwar Ibrahim. “Anti-Junta Forces Set up Satellite-based Internet Servce in 60 Areas.” Radio Free Asia, 19 Dec. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-satellite-interne12192023223105.html. “Myanmar Junta to Prosecute Satellite Internet Users.” The Irrawaddy, 24 Nov. 2023, www.irrawaddy.com/ news/burma/myanmar-junta-to-prosecute-satellite-internet-users.html. Adjie, Moch. Figih Prawira. “Internet Ban During Papua Antiracist Unrest Ruled Unlawful.” The Jakarta Post, 3 June 2020, www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/06/03/internet-ban-during-antiracism-unrest-inpapua-deemed-illegal.html. “Internet Melambat di Desa Wadas, Warga Sulit Berkomunikasi.” CNN Indonesia, 14 Feb. 2022, www. cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20220214141213-20-758964/internet-melambat-di-desa-wadas-wargasulit-berkomunikasi. 16

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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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