Tag: Digital rights

  • Facebook whistleblower alleges “careless” management failed Myanmar

    Facebook whistleblower alleges “careless” management failed Myanmar

    The newly published book Careless People, by Facebook’s former director of public policy Sarah Wynn-Williams, alleges that the company’s management was “deeply unconcerned” about its role in Myanmar, which helped “enable posts that led to horrific sexual violence and genocide” against the Rohingya minority group. 

  • Myanmar’s digital coup rigging the election before it begins

    Myanmar’s digital coup rigging the election before it begins

    The digital space plays a crucial role in modern electoral processes, especially in contexts like Myanmar, where the media landscape is tightly controlled, and online platforms remain one of the few avenues to access information. This report highlights how the military’s attacks on internet access and digital freedoms will further undermine the military’s plan to…

  • Draft Sagaing constitution missing key rights

    Draft Sagaing constitution missing key rights

    The draft constitution is a step forward but should be strengthened to abolish the death penalty, ban cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, guarantee the right to vote and the right to privacy. The draft should also be amended to enhance fair trial safeguards, ensure judicial independence, establish judicial review, and restrict emergency powers.

  • Myanmar’s cyber law a serious threat to privacy, speech, and security

    Myanmar’s cyber law a serious threat to privacy, speech, and security

    Rather than ensuring cybersecurity, Myanmar’s newly adopted Cyber Security “Law” grants the military sweeping powers to control online spaces, enabling systematic violations of digital rights, including the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information. This analysis highlights how the law deviates from international human rights standards and threatens privacy, digital security, VPN…

  • Meta/Facebook changes threaten Myanmar’s digital space 

    Meta/Facebook changes threaten Myanmar’s digital space 

    Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement of significant changes to Meta’s content moderation policies raises serious concerns for Myanmar, where Facebook has both enabled anti-coup dissent and fuelled real-world consequences, including contributing to atrocities against the Rohingya. While fostering free expression is commendable, Meta also has heightened legal and moral responsibilities under international human rights law and its previous commitments to prevent its platforms from enabling harm in high-risk environments…

  • The Great Firewall of Myanmar

    The Great Firewall of Myanmar

    The military’s May 2024 VPN block has significantly infringed on digital rights. Human Rights Myanmar’s review of 3 billion Facebook interactions shows a substantial decline in public engagement on Facebook, impacting media, development, and the digital economy. The VPN block, combined with the Facebook ban, may be the largest act of censorship in Myanmar’s turbulent…

  • Myanmar freedom on the net 2024

    Myanmar freedom on the net 2024

    Internet freedom in Myanmar deteriorated again from 2023 to 2024 and the country is now one of the worst in the world alongside China. The military’s VPN block in May 2024 significantly worsened the situation, shifting the country from basic to advanced digital repression.

  • UN Cybercrime Treaty threatens digital rights

    UN Cybercrime Treaty threatens digital rights

    Civil society in ASEAN express deep concerns that the UN Cybercrime Treaty’s broad provisions threaten human rights. The treaty could legitimise extensive state surveillance and transnational repression, compromising digital rights, freedom of expression, and the safety of activists and journalists across the region.

  • Understanding the impact of the military’s VPN blockade

    Understanding the impact of the military’s VPN blockade

    Our project investigates the far-reaching consequences of Myanmar’s military VPN blockage, revealing how it undermines both individual freedoms and the nation’s socio-economic development. By documenting these impacts, we aim to highlight the urgent need for global action to protect digital rights in repressive regimes.