Section 69 of the 2013 Telecommunications Law requires a court order for the disclosure
of information kept in secured or encrypted systems. However the Myanmar Government
has yet to draft implementing regulations governing the interception of communications by
law enforcement authorities.
The Government has expansive powers under the 2013 Telecommunications Law to, for
example, “enter and inspect” telecommunication services when “in the public interest” or
“intercept” communications when an “emergency situation” arises. Implementing
regulations are therefore necessary to provide clarity on the appropriate restrictions and
procedures for the exercise of that power. The Annex to the Recommendations of this
SWIA provides guidance on a rights-respecting framework for lawful interception that sets
out the kind of restrictions on that power of interception that the Government should take
into account in drafting its framework.
Risks related to the violation of the right to privacy under the 2013 Telecommunications
Law cover two closely related areas of concern:
Government monitoring and surveillance of user activity and content, and;
Government access to user-identifying information and the implications for emerging
international norms around the right to anonymity.
Government monitoring and surveillance of user activity and content
The Myanmar Government has a long history of close surveillance of its people. Despite
ongoing reforms, the 2013 Telecommunications Law maintains a legal basis for
monitoring communications and content. While the justification for surveillance is “security
matters”, the risk of arbitrary and / or overly broad interpretation of that provision is high
(see Table 15 below).
Table 15: Provisions of the 2013 Telecommunications Law with Potential to be used
to Monitor User Activity and Content
The Government may, “when the situation arises to carry out in the interest of the
public, with the approval of the government, direct the licensee … to retrieve
necessary information and communications [and] to temporarily control and use the
telecommunications service provider businesses and telecommunications
equipment.” (s77)
Risks of Company Involvement in Human Rights Violations
Implementing regulations of the 2013 Telecommunications Law, once available, may
provide more guidance on the scope of expected ICT company cooperation with
Government-ordered surveillance of ICT users. Currently, the Telecommunications Law
as written leaves ICT companies open to significant risk of involvement in Government
surveillance activities in a way which does not meet international standards of human
rights protection.
CHAPTER 2:
ICT GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, POLICIES & LEGAL FRAMEWORK
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