11/22/22, 4:44 PM ‘Watermelon suppression’: doxing campaign targets pro-democracy soldiers and police | Frontier Myanmar Kaung Thu Win said it has also long been a military policy to monitor the social media accounts of soldiers. “Before the coup, soldiers and their children had to give their accounts to the army. You have to attach your Facebook name and personal code number … All of our superiors have to give it to their superiors,” he explained. Kaung Thu Win said that those speaking out or leaking information should use a new account on a different phone. Kaung Thu Win also called for Telegram to take more action to control dangerous content. “I hope this company does not want to hurt anyone in any country. They created Telegram so that people could use it safely. But now that people in Burma are suffering because of Telegram’s lack of control, they should reconsider,” he said. Wai Phyo Myint with Access Now said the strategy seems to be to inspire fear within the military system and within society at large. She said in the beginning, the Telegram channels were mostly targeting high-profile politicians and activists, but they are increasingly targeting average people opposed to the military. This includes posting their home addresses and even the names of their children. Wai Phyo Myint said many in Myanmar are now constantly scanning these lists, which also takes a mental health toll. “This is on a daily basis, these posts. We have to go and regularly check these channels just to see whether we or anyone we know are on this list,” she said. More stories Dancing with dictators: The humanitarian dilemma in Myanmar International aid agencies say they need to play by the junta’s rules to serve vulnerable communities, but critics say they’re legitimising the regime for limited gain and ignoring informal channels. https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/watermelon-suppression-doxing-campaign-targets-pro-democracy-soldiers-and-police/ 7/10