Myanmar govt enacts sweeping Cybersecurity Law to crush dissent

Myanmar’s military govt has enacted a stringent Cybersecurity Law, intensifying its control over communication channels amid a growing civil war.

The law, published in parts in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, claims to combat cyber threats and protect national sovereignty but has drawn widespread condemnation for its repressive provisions.

The government’s stated aim is to “effectively investigate and take action against cybercrimes” while safeguarding stability. However, critics argue the law targets dissent, reflecting the regime’s focus on suppressing resistance since the February 2021 coup. Social media platforms such as Facebook, X, and Telegram have been crucial tools for protesters and armed resistance groups, making control over these platforms a high priority for the government.

“This law extinguishes any remaining avenues for dissent and expression against an increasingly violent regime,” warned Access Now in a 2022 analysis of a draft version of the legislation.

One of the law’s key provisions criminalizes the unauthorized use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which have become essential for bypassing internet restrictions. While VPNs were already being blocked, the new law imposes penalties of six months in prison and fines for unauthorized VPN installation or services. Earlier drafts mentioned harsher punishments, including three-year prison terms, though it remains unclear whether these are included in the final version.

The law also threatens up to six months’ imprisonment and fines for distributing digital content deemed “inappropriate for the public,” and up to two years for “cyber misuse.” Notably, it extends its reach to Myanmar citizens abroad, targeting exiled journalists and activists.

“This provision is a direct attack on the diaspora, which has been critical in exposing government atrocities,” said an exiled journalist now based in Thailand.

While the full text of the law has yet to be published, earlier drafts included requirements for internet providers to remove content inciting hatred or spreading untruthful news and to hand over user data to the government. It is unclear if these provisions are part of the enacted version, as the Global New Light of Myanmar has yet to release these sections.

Human rights advocates say the law signals a return to the oppressive control of past military regimes, compounded by the urgency of wartime emergency. “This law shows the government’s desperation to silence opposition at all costs,” said a legal analyst monitoring the situation from Yangon.

The government’s move is likely to further isolate Myanmar internationally. “The global community must not only condemn this law but take concrete actions to support the people of Myanmar in their fight for freedom,” urged a representative from Amnesty International.

As Myanmar edges closer to complete digital isolation, activists continue to find ways to resist, relying on underground networks and alternative technologies. “They can pass as many laws as they want, but they will never break the spirit of the people,” said a student activist in Mandalay.