As protests grow in Myanmar, NetBlocks says the country's internet connectivity fell to 16% of ordinary levels, indicating a near-total internet shutdown
Myanmar's military leaders are extending their — internet restrictions in a bid to limit protests against their coup.
Protesters, journalists and ordinary users lose the communications channels needed to coordinate, publish and receive timely information as nationwide connectivity collapses.
Myanmar's ISPs must implement the military's restrictions, while NetBlocks' measurement gives outside observers a quantified record of their reach.
Second-order effects
Mobile-service suspensions extend the disruption from fixed connections to the principal access channel for many users, reducing the practical value of online services even where some networks remain reachable.
Businesses dependent on online connectivity face operational disruption as the restrictions move from episodic outages toward the broader economic shutdown documented in later coverage.
Third-order effects
Repeated, measurable shutdowns position network access itself as an instrument of political control, rather than a neutral utility, with ISPs becoming enforcement points for state directives.
If the escalation pattern persists, Myanmar's digital economy will be shaped as much by the risk of mandated disconnection as by the growth in internet adoption noted in the related coverage.
The trend: Myanmar's coup-era restrictions illustrate a shift from targeted disruption toward communications shutdowns that also disable online economic activity.
Update: A near-total internet shutdown is now in effect in #Myanmar. Network data show a collapse of connectivity to 16% of ordinary levels from ~2 pm local time 📉 The information blackout is likely to severely limit coverage of anti-coup protests 📵 📉 https://netblocks.org/... ht…
The story of Myanmar 🇲🇲 is not different from wat despot @KagutaMuseveni has been doing. Blocking internet access & taxing Ugandans for social media use. Dictators thrives on the donations frm @StateDept 2 sustain their repression apparatus. #VisitUganda #WeAreRemovingADictator h…
Now all of the phone services and wifi are cut down nationwide again. Guys,please spread what's happening in Myanmar now. #HearTheVoiceOfMyanmar #FightForDemocracy https://twitter.com/...
Military issued an order to ban Twitter and Instragam. Facebook ban is expiring on 7th February 11:59pm. #CivilDisobediencMovement #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #myanmarmilitarycoup #Myanmarcoup #myanmar https://twitter.com/...
Chair @RepGregoryMeeks: Restricting internet access and cracking down on media won't blind the world to the Tatmadaw's abuses on fundamental freedoms. I call on military leaders to release those arrested, restore access to info and respect free expression. https://www.bbc.com/...
It undermines the public conversation and the rights of people to make their voices heard. The Open Internet is increasingly under threat around the world. We will continue to advocate to end destructive government-led shutdowns. https://techcrunch.com/...
Blocking the US platforms reduces citizens' access to information and their ability to get their stories out to the world, but it also pushes them onto Chinese platforms that might be more willing to play ball with the junta on surveillance and censorship. https://twitter.com/...