Recommendations
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Unclear legal protections for citizen privacy and
protection from surveillance;
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Unclear policies on censorship;
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Current process and cost for Internet access is
prohibitive;
-
Lack of open and formal process for private
industry or civil society to engage with
government; and
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No Freedom of Information law.
Despite these resounding challenges, there exist
openings and opportunities for policymakers, private
investors, and civil society to effectuate positive
change. The opportunity to expand affordable
Internet access in Myanmar from single digit
penetration to double or triple current rates in a few
years would have a significant impact on politics,
economics, and society. It would also demonstrate
the government’s effectiveness in improving quality
of life. We offer these general suggestions as a
means to act on these opportunities for “technology
as post-transition stabilization”:
-
Domestic and international technologists should
seek careful partnerships with Myanmar civil
society groups to help disseminate knowledge and
help create home-grown ICT solutions.
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The Myanmar government should capitalize on ICT
as an area ripe for investment while ensuring that
this effort promotes civil liberties and creates
economic opportunities for its citizens.
-
Diplomatic initiatives in Myanmar should target ICT
infrastructure development (building Internet
Exchange Points, establishing efficient routing with
neighboring countries, building basic cybersecurity
systems, and rationalizing prices through fair
market regulations). Creating the conditions for a
growing ICT marketplace will have many positive
externalities with respect to political and economic
liberalization.
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