Fourth Year Under Myanmar Military’s Digital Iron Curtain: A Reflecti... 4 of 5 https://www.techpolicy.press/fourth-year-under-myanmar-militarys-digit... A Defining Moment for Myanmar’s Future While Myanmar’s military still holds power in major cities, its territorial control is at its lowest since the coup. Resistance forces have made significant gains, but the junta continues to rely on airstrikes and foreign backing to maintain its rule. And while the junta seeks to fasten their digital iron curtain where they still have control, 2024 saw resistance groups and local initiatives make significant progress in finding alternative ways to access the internet — though this was hampered by the high cost, technological barriers of alternative communication tools and the dramatic closing down of international aid and funding that enables such efforts. To tear down the military’s digital iron curtain, the international community, including governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations, must go beyond words — it must take decisive action: • Cut off military-controlled telecom networks: In January 2024, the US Department of Commerce sanctioned Mytel, a military-owned telecom provider. However, more is needed: other governments, including the UK, Canada, and the EU, need to follow suit and work alongside the US Treasury to pressure Mytel’s parent company, Viettel (Vietnam’s military-run telecom firm), to stop pumping in resources. Meanwhile, Shwe Byain Phyu Group, which controls Atom, has been sanctioned. Yet, Atom remains unpenalized and operational. Governments must ensure sanctions directly target Atom and other military-linked telecom firms such as Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT). • Halt technology transfers: Firms from China, India, and the West must be blocked from supplying surveillance tools, biometric systems, and censorship technology that enables repression. In October 2024, Canada, the EU, and the UK imposed new sanctions on companies providing surveillance technology to the junta — more needs to be done and other countries must do the same. • Support and invest in tech infrastructure to speed up efforts and services for alternative communication networks: Develop a comprehensive action plan that addresses both the shortterm need for emergency connectivity and the long-term need for secure and reliable connectivity, including efforts by governments and tech actors to support tools to bypass censorship with satellite-based services, pushing for readily available VPN services, and improved in-built circumvention features on platforms such as Facebook and Signal for users in Myanmar. This is a defining moment. In 2025, Myanmar has a real chance to overcome the military dictatorship — but it will not happen unless the world stands firmly on the side of the people, and does not enable their oppressors. This is not just about Myanmar’s fight for freedom. It is about resisting the global rise of digital authoritarianism and ensuring that technology is used to empower people, not control them. 3/25/25, 5:10 PM