1/12/24, 11:44 AM Examining the Situation of Digital Repression in Myanmar in 2023 SAC’s announcement on the re-registration process for the sale and transfer of SIM cards. On September 16, 2023, SAC members reportedly requested Sim card users’ location to disclose the Mytel office located in Ingapu Township, Irrawaddy Region, as per the news reported by Arrawaddy Time News Agency. 2.3 Events the Tracking, Surveillance and Privacy Violation of SAC It was found that while SAC is implementing mass surveillance mechanisms to control citizens, it is using various methods to violate privacy, involve tracking, and surveil the citizens. SAC members often conduct surprise checks of the mobile phones and bags of individuals traveling on the streets of Yangon and they check the mobile phones and purses of travelers in Toll Gates. In May 2023, SAC terminated 721 mobile payment accounts (Kbzpay, Wave Pay, AyA Pay, CB pay) within one month suspecting citizens who were supporting the revolution group. Although SAC is tracking citizens' money transactions and terminating suspected accounts, SAC and the banks dismissed to provide specific solutions to the users. On March 1, 2023 , SAC enact the by-law under the Anti-Terrorism law, add “six articles in Chapter 14 provide authorities with sweeping new powers over digital information, including the ability to intercept, monitor, cut off and restrict communications, as well as to pinpoint the location of a suspect”. On March 1, 2023, SAC pressured taxi drivers operating at the airport to integrate with Grab for security reasons. Users creating an account through the Grab application are required to provide a photo, phone number, and email. Subsequently, this application is capable of tracking users' routes, making it supportive of SAC's surveillance mechanism. In Mandalay, SAC pressured street vendors to install CCTV. On August 24, SAC's soldiers, dressed as civilians and municipal staff, delivered notices to street shops that were opened beside the main road within Aung Myay Thar Zan Township. On September 20, they announced that The Thilawa Special Economic Zone Management Committee and the Myanmar Customs Department have initiated the implementation of a surveillance system known as the Logistic Surveillance System (E-Lock) to inspect containers and sealed vehicles. (3) Internet Shutdown Incidents As the SAC, which includes keeping military operations confidential, restricting information flows, and controlling information related to revolutionary forces, internet shutdowns have been employed as a weapon since the 2021 military coup. While analyzing the internet shutdown events of 2023, we did not find any nationwide internet shutdown. Nevertheless, it is crystal clear that the SAC continues the internet shutdown in conflict areas. As a consequence of the SAC's internet shutdown, residents in the affected areas experienced delays in information flow and faced negative impacts on social and economic activities. https://www.myanmarinternet.info/post/blog_014-1 5/8