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Myanmar and detained reported that they were forced to unlock their smartphones for examination by authorities234, 235. People who are stopped at security checkpoints are requested to hand over their mobile phones236. Some also reported being randomly asked by the military to hand over their mobile phones to check for suspicious content, and others reported being fined for using VPN which the junta has prohibited as it can circumvent content blocks237. In addition, the junta is likely to possess various forms of surveillance technology that enhance their capabilities to monitor threats to their power. These include forensic and sur veillance equipment bought between 2018 and 2021 during the period of civilian governments, according to a report from Justice for Myanmar. A month before the coup in 2021, Myanmar reportedly made a deal with the Israeli firm, Cognyte, allowing them to intercept the mobile phone data of their targets238. With 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 this technology, telephone calls can be listened to, text messages and emails read, and locations known even without the assistance of telecommunications companies. Based on the leaked documents obtained by Justice for Myanmar, Cognyte’s local partner is Khine Thitsar Company Limited, which is also engaged in surveillance and CCTV contracts239. The connection between Myanmar telecommunication service providers and the military also makes the former more compliant to surveillance orders. Former telecoms operator, Telenor, has gone on record in 2022 about receiving orders to activate interception equipment following the coup240. The exit of companies without close links to the junta means that it is more likely that companies that remain in Myanmar cooperate with the military regime for surveillance. This also makes them complicit with human rights violations committed as a result of their monitoring. “Junta Turns Phones Against Their Owners in a Bid for Total Control.” Myanmar Now, 18 July 2021, myanmar-now.org/en/news/junta-turns-phones-against-their-owners-in-a-bid-for-total-control. Campbell, Zach, and Caitlin L. Chandler. “Tools for Repression in Myanmar Expose Gap Between EU Tech Investment and Regulation.” The Intercept, 14 June 2021, theintercept.com/2021/06/14/ myanmar-msab-eu-technology-regulation. “Anxiety, Bribes and Bullies: A Journey Through Post-coup Myanmar.” Frontier Myanmar, 31 May 2021, www. frontiermyanmar.net/en/anxiety-bribes-and-bullies-a-journey-through-post-coup-myanmar. Chandran, Rina. “FEATURE-A Year After Myanmar Coup, Growing Surveillance Threatens Lives.” Reuters, 31 Jan. 2022, www.reuters.com/article/idUSL8N2TX2KI. “Reported Spyware Deal Implicates Israeli Firm in Myanmar Junta’s Crimes, Critics Say.” Radio Free Asia, 23 Jan. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/spyware-01232023164144.html. Israeli Surveillance Firm Cognyte’s Business in Myanmar Exposed.” Justice for Myanmar, 15 Jan. 2023, www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/israeli-surveillance-firm-cognytes-business-in -myanmar-exposed. “Updates on Telenor in Myanmar.” Telenor Group, 28 Feb. 2022, www.telenor.com/sustainability/ responsible-business/human-rights/human-rights-in-myanmar/directives-from-authorities-in-myanmarfebruary-2021. 65

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

Report

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions

Author(s)

DigitalReach

Date Published: Aug 6, 2024

Abstract: It is undeniable that information technology has significantly impacted human rights and democracy these days. Different governments around Southeast Asia continually attempt to control digital space through, for example, using repressive laws and regulations, forcing social media platforms to follow their orders, and using spyware and similar technology to surveil critics. In Southeast Asia, democracy and human rights have deteriorated because of these attempts, especially for countries under authoritarian regimes.

In order to better understand the situation, DigitalReach publishes annual reports to present and analyze the events and trends around the region. The 2023 annual report analyzes the digital rights situation in eight countries across Southeast Asia—namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam–from January 2023 to December 2023, with glimpses of key updates into 2024, given the timing of its release.

The report format has been changed completely from the previous years. In order to more systematically present the developments observed, the report is organized into three key areas: (1) Legal and Policy Developments, (2) Information Control and Manipulation, and (3) Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition.

From a regional perspective, legal and policy developments in countries that are known to restrict human rights are still mainly about using or coming up with new policies to further suppress human rights in the digital sphere. Countries considered to be more democratic also attempt to change or repeal their laws, but still without a clear sign of improvement toward digital rights.

In terms of information control and manipulation, social media platforms continue to be deployed for political ends, with different platforms serving a specific purpose for each country. The shift toward short video format, TikTok in particular, continued from 2022 to contribute toward information disorder, especially during election periods. The use of video shorts is important when targeting young voters, who played an important role in determining election results in Thailand and Indonesia this year like they did in the Philippines and Malaysia in 2022. State-sponsored cyber armies were also documented, while some governments preferred to assert more effective control of social media platforms. Other important methods related to the flow of information include suppression of media freedom and internet disruptions, which are particularly severe in Myanmar following the 2021 coup.

Judicial harassment is a key form of threat used against critics and political opposition in 2023. It is still common for people in Southeast Asia to be thrown in jail for what they say or do online. Others who do not subscribe to the government’s ideology face online harassment from state-sponsored cyber armies or government supporters. In terms of surveillance, 5 out of 8 countries included in this report have been found to have or are likely to have spyware technology.

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2023-Annual-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
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Myanmar Internet Project

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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