Myanmar enforces new cybersecurity laws – and VPN use is the main target
Up to six months in prison and fines of up to 2 million kyats (almost $1,000). This is what people in Myanmar now risk if they use a VPN service without approval after a new controversial cybersecurity law came into effect on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
According to the military junta, the new law aims to “prevent cyber attacks through electronic technology that threaten national sovereignty, peace and stability, and to effectively investigate and prosecute cybercrime.” This is reported by Radio Free Asia.
Yet experts worry about the implications for citizens’ digital rights, such as online privacy, freedom of expression and access to information.
The internet in Myanmar has been under strict control since the 2021 coup. Social media platforms, along with independent and international media, are all blocked, making using the best VPN apps a necessity to stay connected and access free information.
Digital rights under attack
As mentioned, legal experts and digital rights groups have warned of the risk the new law poses to people’s digital freedoms.
For example, speaking to Radio Free Asia, a legal expert suggests that there should be a limit to the authorities’ reach in monitoring citizens’ online activities.
“The VPN law is being abused to control public narratives. The Junta is more interested in restricting the independent flow of information rather than focusing solely on legitimate cybersecurity concerns,” said another legal expert from Mawlamyine city. told a local human rights group.
In addition to VPNs, the 16-chapter, 88-article cybersecurity law also criminalizes other online activities, such as online fraud, illegal gambling and illicit financial transactions. Here, prison sentences can range from two to seven years.
The military regime on Wednesday activated the cybersecurity law, imposing up to six months in prison or 1-10 million kyats (US$475-4,750) in fines for establishing unauthorized VPN (virtual private network) connections or offering VPN services. services. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/4Wo6s2aOIHJanuary 2, 2025
Myanmar’s new law appears to be the culmination of the Junta’s work to prevent citizens from using VPN (virtual private network) apps to circumvent government-imposed online restrictions.
We reported in June last year how an enforced VPN ban in Myanmar plunged citizens into online darkness in May. Most VPN services stopped working, with soldiers also reportedly inspecting the phones of random pedestrians looking for illegal VPN apps.
At the same time, Myanmar was among the countries most affected by internet shutdowns and social media blocking in 2024. according to the latest dataMyanmar suffered the longest with a total of 20,376 hours of online blocks over the 12 months, affecting 23.7 million people.
What is now certain is that the new law makes it even more difficult for ordinary citizens to challenge daily online restrictions without legal consequences.