Myanmar junta restricts more mobile apps, residents say
Users report bans on Signal, Google apps
Some Google apps along with the popular messaging app Signal now appear to be blocked inside Myanmar, residents told Radio Free Asia this week.
Several residents said they had been unable to access either the encrypted messaging service or Google apps except when using a virtual private network, or VPN.
The junta has not released a statement saying they have blocked the apps, but the military government has banned a range of messaging apps, social media apps, and VPNs since coming to power in a February 2021 coup.
Signal, which allows users to securely message, call, and send files, has become particularly popular in recent years.
Chit Oo, who works on the Thai-Myanmar border, told RFA that he has been speaking with his parents through Signal ever since Facebook Messenger was blocked in 2021. His parents live in Mandalay, which has faced fierce fighting in recent weeks.
“Since the last week of June, Signal has been difficult to use for communication,” he said. “With the battle near Mandalay approaching, I am more worried about my parents."
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A Yangon resident, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, told RFA that he is currently relying on VPNs to access internet services including Google apps, which are critical for sharing and storing information.
“They say these tools are not supposed to be used, but people have to use them,” he said. “No matter how many bans are imposed, people will continue to use them.”
Major General Zaw Min Tun, the junta’s spokesperson, could not be reached for comment.
‘Many loopholes’
A technology expert who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons said a lack of clear instruction from the junta may have led internet service providers, or ISPs, to be overly cautious about blocking apps.
“Some did not disable Google services, but some internet services mistakenly disabled them. With technology advancing globally, how can they disable it entirely? There are many loopholes, and we can still use it as we like,” he said.
Kyaw Win, director of the Burma Human Rights Network, said the suppression of freedom of expression was just the latest abuse by a regime that has imprisoned and killed thousands.
“From a human rights perspective, everyone has the right to communicate and express themselves as they wish,” he said. “It is not enough to arrest individuals; modern technology is also being used to block communication and expression.”
Currently in Myanmar, the junta has restricted access to Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, and independent media websites.
Observers have said that in areas resistant to the junta, internet access has been cut off and internet speeds have been slowed in some regions.
Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Abby Seiff.
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