The Myanmar military coup is being criticized via protests, as reported by NetBlocksFingasEngadget. The internet is cut by military officials to prevent chaos. [Protests Myanmar NetblocksFingasEngadget]
Key Takes:
- Myanmar’s military leaders are limiting internet access to suppress anti-coup protests
- The internet shutdown is near-total, with connectivity at just 16% of normal levels
- Instagram and Twitter have been blocked in addition to Facebook
- The military is using a strategy previously employed by Iran, Egypt, and other countries to limit protests
In February 2021, the Myanmar coup led to the shutting down of the internet service in the country amid protests against the illegitimate coup. The public went to the streets and demanded to release of their elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, reports Fingas via Engadget.
The military coup on Monday, February 6, 2021, caused chaos in the city of Yangon as the public demanded justice and democracy chanting, “Military dictator, fail, fail; Democracy, win, win.”
“Internet already down but we will not stop raising our voice…Let’s fight peacefully for democracy and freedom. Let’s fight until the last minute for our future,” wrote a Twitter user, Maw Htun Aung.
Military dictatorships are always unwelcome, and third-world countries such as Myanmar, they don’t have a good history with military generals. (look at Iran then and now)
Aung San Suu Kyi was the elected leader of Myanmar but as the military coup took down his legitimate government, the public wasn’t happy and crowded the streets to save democracy. To show support for their beloved leader, most of the protestants wore red, which reflects the the color of National League for Democracy (NLD). [Protests Myanmar NetblocksFingasEngadget]
The Military Shut Down the Internet
The situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate as the military junta tightens its grip on power. Following the coup, the latest move by the leaders of the military is to limit people’s access to the internet in an effort to prevent protests against their takeover of the government.
Almost all internet access has been cut off in the country, including the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which people were previously using to get around earlier restrictions. According to NetBlocks, and reported by BBC, the country’s internet connectivity was only 16% of the usual levels. This has effectively silenced the voices of the people, making it harder for them to communicate and organize protests.
The military’s crackdown on internet access follows the government’s previous move to block Instagram and Twitter, and the earlier ban on Facebook. The government claimed that people were using social media to encourage trouble and incite violence.
Myanmar’s military leaders are trying to stop protests against their takeover of the government by blocking access to the internet. Other countries like Iran and Egypt have used this same trick before. But, people are still protesting despite the internet being blocked.
“A news and information blackout by the coup leaders can’t hide their politically motivated arrests and other abuses,” stated Brad Adams, executive director of the Asian division of Human Rights Watch.
Actually, blocking the internet often makes people more determined to keep protesting and also brings more attention to the bad things happening. People from all over the world are angry at the military for hurting peaceful protesters.
New technology has made it easier for people to speak out, but it has also given the government new ways to stop them from speaking out. Even so, history shows that people will always fight for what they think is right. The world needs to help people in Myanmar who want freedom and democracy. [Protests Myanmar NetblocksFingasEngadget]
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