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Of course, equating Myanmar identity to 20 VPN apps is a joke, but the real-world numbers are still high: Digital rights activists estimate that Myanmar citizens have an average of five VPN apps installed on their phones.
Fight against virtual private networks
In late May and early June of this year, experts and cyber analysts began to observe that the SAC had been actively blocking access to VPNs. According to a news report by Voice of America (VOA), in late May, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications ordered a nationwide ban on access to Facebook, Instagram, X, WhatsApp, and VPN services.
The crackdown is one of illegal implementation of the Cybersecurity Law drafted by the military in 2022, which was never fully enacted. On the ground, security forces have been conducting random checks, searches and even arrests of people who have VPNs installed on their phones.
However, despite the physical harassment and blatant violations of people’s freedom of expression and opinion, as well as their right to information, it is hard to imagine that the military junta’s attempt to ban VPN services will stop people from using the tool to stay connected online.
In fact, a VPN ban could push those desperate for information or social connections to turn to other avenues, even from obscure sources, exposing them to more cyber threats. Local experts spoke to the author anonymously about a surge in phishing links advertised as links to various new free VPN services.
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