5/22/22, 5:32 PM ‘Online mob’ assists silent strike crackdown | Frontier Myanmar referring to hate speech and disinformation that spread unchecked on social media during the violence against the Rohingya in 2017. The electronics shop owner also called for Telegram to protect people who are “suffering and being arrested” due to the actions of Han Nyein Oo and other pro-military users. “We want it to be implemented as soon as possible,” he said, accusing Telegram of “promoting violence and hate speech”. One of Telegram’s only terms of service bans the promotion of violence “on publicly viewable Telegram channels”. Sending soldiers after shop owners could be construed as promoting violence, particularly given the military’s propensity for using lethal force. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says nearly 1,500 civilians have been killed by the junta, including more than 100 who died while in military custody. Many more have reported being tortured in detention. In another post, Han Nyein Oo shared pictures of gallows, ostensibly taken inside Myanmar’s prisons, saying they are being “cleaned” in preparation to execute NLD MP Zeyar Thaw and prominent activist Ko Jimmy, who were both recently handed death sentences. “The more moves those outside make, the closer the final days become for those inside,” he wrote. Robertson from HRW said Telegram has been a “black hole” in terms of moderation and needs to “urgently” investigate the platform’s misuse in Myanmar. “The fundamental problem lies with the Tatmadaw and the police, who are arresting, torturing, and in some cases killing people in custody,” he said. “Having an online mob trying to organize and direct military actions to arrest more people just feeds into this problem.” More stories A flood of need overwhelms humanitarian response in conflict-affected areas Volunteers and humanitarians struggle to meet demand as shortages of food and medicine as well as fear of junta attacks haunt the lives of more than 900,000 internally displaced people in Myanmar. Related stories https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/online-mob-assists-silent-strike-crackdown/ 5/8