Security News > 2022 > January > Myanmar's military junta seeks ban on VPNs and digital currency
Myanmar's military junta has floated a cyber security law that would ban the use of virtual private networks, under penalty of imprisonment and/or fines, leaving digital rights organisations concerned about the effects of further closing the country off digitally to the outside world.
As the country faced a military coup in February 2021, the newly installed Tatmadaw banned Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, prompting users in the country to rely on VPNs to retain access to their preferred online communication services.
VPNs have long been a restricted technology in China, which also seeks to limit the material its citizens can access.
Digital and human rights advocates fear a VPN ban will damage pro-democracy organisations, like the National Unity Government, and benefit the military junta.
"The proposed bill is draconian, even by the standards of the Burmese military. The first version of the bill proposed in February 2021 was dropped after industry and civil society united to push back, but the military has been set on getting its way," Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, told The Register.
Toker said VPN services were "Requisite to connect with the outside world from Myanmar since the coup, due to restrictions on social media and international platforms imposed by the post-coup authority," as well as "Essential for business and international trade, particularly in the digital services sector."