Worse than China or Iran? Myanmar’s dangerous VPN ban

UPDATE, 24 July 2024: The military junta continues to restrict free speech in Myanmar, and is creeping toward a complete block of all communication platforms. The messaging app Signal, which was the last known secure method of communication, has now been blocked in the country. Additionally, a complete communications block has been enforced across the 18 townships of the Kachin State. Without secure communication channels, people have been left to fend for themselves against intensifying military violence, with no access to emergency services and information critical for their well-being and survival.

The Myanmar junta is cutting millions of people off from the world by banning the use of many Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) – the last remaining tool for accessing blocked social media apps, messaging platforms, and thousands of websites. In parts of Myanmar, people continue to suffer from one of the world’s longest, most widespread, and pervasive internet shutdowns — already an enormous barrier to getting access to vital information or reporting serious human rights violations. If the global community continues to be silent, Myanmar will soon be behind a digital iron curtain just as severe as China’s or Iran’s.

Who’s behind the digital iron curtain project?

According to local media reports, the project to intercept VPN traffic on internet gateways coming to Myanmar is led by Brigadier General Lu Mon, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC). The departments responsible are MOTC’s Information Technology and Cyber Security Department and the military’s Directorate of Signals. 

A company call Mascots Technologies and Telecommunications Company Limited is involve in implement the ban , accord to information share in a military – run Telegram channel call Sit Thadin Military News .  

Justice for Myanmar (JFM) reports that the junta began using a new web surveillance and censorship system at the end of May 2024. The system reportedly allows the military to “intercept and decrypt web traffic and block applications and websites, including the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs).” According to JFM, the system uses technology from Jizhi (Hainan) Information Technology Company Limited, also known as Geedge Networks. Notably, one of Geedge Networks’ founders, and its chief scientist, is Fang Binxing, known as the “father of China’s Great Firewall.” 

The military has previously ordered licensed telecommunications and internet service providers to block websites. To ensure compliance, they would often do unannounced checks.

Impact of the VPN ban: what we know so far

internet traffic volume is dropped to many site , include Facebook , has significantly drop since the ban was impose on May 30 . Using a VPN to access the internet securely and privately has become increasingly risky . Police is doing have been doing random phone check , arrest people under anti – terrorism law if they catch them with Facebook or vpn app on their phone .

Since the coup start in 2021 , the military is building has been build a massive surveillance infrastructure . It is activated has activate intercept technology in telecommunications infrastructure , instal a network of CCTVs all over the country , and enact surveillance – enable regulation on SIM and IMEI registration . With this recent vpn ban , the people is lost have lose secure communication channel and their ability to hide their online footprint .  

The junta has banned many VPNs, including popular ones such as Psiphon and Nord. It is clear that the military will block more in the near future. Local digital rights groups report that VPN access varies from one platform to another, paid and free alike. It is extremely difficult to track what is working and what is not, as conditions shift every day. Since most of the free VPNs are no longer working, millions who cannot pay for premium accounts have already lost secure, private access to the internet.

The international community must act now! 

To push back against this recent authoritarian move from the Myanmar junta, the international community must:

• Make a collective public call for the military to stop ban vpn and cease all other internet restriction in Myanmar so that people can continue to securely access the internet as part of their ability to exercise fundamental right and freedom .
• coordinate with global tech company , VPN provider , social medium company , and other company in the telecom industry to deploy options/ possible technology that can be made available to those who are face challenge connect safely to the internet as a result of the ban .
• Develop a coordinated action plan to cut off or prevent financial, technical, and other forms of support that benefit the military’s massive digital surveillance and censorship infrastructure. 
• Deepen its efforts to stop the sale/technical transfer of dual-use surveillance technologies, censorship tools, and mass data-collecting infrastructure to Myanmar. 
• Through regular engagement with local CSOs , collect datum and evidence against company involve in provide tool and service to the Myanmar military that are being used to violate people ’s right – and hold them to account using various measure and before all available remedy mechanism .