Myanmar Blocks Facebook: Military Government Order

Myanmar Blocks Facebook Following Military Coup

The newly established military government in Myanmar has directed local telecommunications companies to enact a temporary block on Facebook. This restriction is scheduled to remain in effect until midnight on February 7th, occurring in the wake of the military's recent seizure of power within the Southeast Asian nation.

Reports of Inaccessibility

Numerous users participating in the Myanmar subreddit have indicated that Facebook is currently unavailable on their mobile devices. This suggests that internet service providers are actively implementing the government’s directive, which mandated compliance by Wednesday’s midnight deadline.

Justification for the Block

Myanmar’s governing authorities contend that Facebook is contributing to instability within the country. The order to block access references a provision within the nation’s telecom law, citing justification for actions taken in the interest of public and state welfare.

Affected Services and Provider Responses

NetBlocks, an organization dedicated to monitoring global internet activity, confirms that MPT, the state-owned telecom operator holding a significant market share, has blocked Facebook, alongside Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp on its network.

Telenor, one of Myanmar’s four telecom providers, has voiced “grave concerns regarding breach of human rights” but has nevertheless confirmed its compliance with the order issued by the military junta.

Facebook's Statement

A spokesperson for Facebook acknowledged the disruption in access, stating that the company is “aware that access to Facebook is currently disrupted for some people.” The spokesperson further emphasized the need for authorities to reinstate connectivity, enabling citizens to maintain communication with family and friends and access vital information.

Context of the Coup and Prior Disruptions

This action follows several days of civil unrest in Myanmar. Earlier this week, the military assumed control of the country and declared a year-long state of emergency, following the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, the civilian leader, and other democratically elected officials from her National League for Democracy party.

Subsequent to the coup, citizens across various regions of Myanmar reported experiencing intermittent internet and cellular service outages lasting several hours.

Facebook's Role and Past Criticism

Facebook has become intrinsically linked to internet access for many citizens in Myanmar. However, the platform has faced persistent criticism for perceived inadequacies in addressing the proliferation of misinformation, which has been linked to instances of real-world violence within the country.

Human Rights Concerns

A human rights report published in 2018 asserted that Facebook was utilized to “foment division and incite offline violence” in Myanmar, a nation with a population exceeding 54 million. Facebook executives acknowledged later that year that their efforts had been insufficient.

Recent Commitments to Content Moderation

BuzzFeed News reported this week that Facebook executives have committed to implementing proactive content moderation measures in Myanmar, designating it as a “Temporary High-Risk Location.”