Internet cuts in Myanmar after coup d'etat, President Biden mentions sanctions

NetBlocks, an organization that monitors freedom of speech on the Internet, reports that the Internet connection was temporarily cut off in the country due to the impact of a coup d'etat by the Myanmar Armed Forces that broke out on February 1, 2021.

Internet disrupted in Myanmar amid apparent military uprising --NetBlocks
https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-disrupted-in-myanmar-amid-apparent-military-uprising-JBZrmlB6

Amid military coup, Myanmar's internet is partially blacked out --CyberScoop
https://www.cyberscoop.com/myanmar-burma-miliary-coup-internet/

NetBlocks said on February 1st, 'Abnormalities have also occurred on the Internet amid reports of a military uprising in Myanmar that detained civilian leaders. Real-time network data monitoring In Myanmar, we found that nationwide connectivity dropped to 75% of normal levels from around 3 o'clock local time, 'reported Twitter.

⚠️ Confirmed: Internet disrupted in #Myanmar amid military uprising and reports of detention of civilian leadership; real-time network data show national connectivity falling to 75% of ordinary levels from 3:00 am local time; incident ongoing ????

???? https://t.co/Jgc20OBk27 pic.twitter.com/CgBkyamrP6

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 31, 2021

Internet connectivity in Myanmar dropped to 50% around 8 o'clock local time.

Update: Internet connectivity in #Myanmar has fallen to 50% of ordinary levels as of 8:00 am local time amid an apparent military coup and the detention of civilian leaders; pattern of disruption indicates centrally issued telecoms blackout order ????

https://t.co/Jgc20OBk27 pic.twitter.com/71fHI3sRv3

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 1, 2021

According to the technical analysis results of the network, NetBlocks said, 'Multiple network operators such as the state-owned Myanmar Postal Service (MPT) and the international telecommunications carrier Telenor have been affected by this communication disconnection. The results of the initial investigation suggest that there is a planned mechanism targeting mobile and some fixed-line services, 'he said, adding that the authorities-led Internet disconnection took place.

According to NetBlocks, local collaborators and journalists have also reported that their internet connection and mobile communications have been lost at the same time.

Aye Min Thant, a Twitter user living in Myanmar, said in the early morning of February 1st, 'People are scared, but it's pretty quiet for now. I've been receiving calls from friends and relatives since 6am. However, the Internet was repeatedly connected and disconnected, and I couldn't use my SIM card anymore. '

I guess I'll be live tweeting a coup now. Things are still pretty quiet for now, though people are awake and scared. I've been fielding calls since 6 am from friends and relatives. The internet is in and out and my sim card no longer works.

— Aye Min Thant (@the_ayeminthant) February 1, 2021

Also, in the market, you can see the whole family buying things, if not panicking, and there is also information that ATMs do not work and banks do not open.

The market is busier than usual, but people seem to be buying fairly normal amounts. It doesn't look like panic buying. The increased patronage may be due to a noticable increase in male shoppers. It seems like whole families are out and not just the women. pic.twitter.com/oU9G7krr6Y

— Aye Min Thant (@the_ayeminthant) February 1, 2021

Since then, Myanmar's Internet connection has been restored to 75% of the normal level, but since many users are still in a situation where communication is cut off, NetBlocks said, 'Based on the political situation and the issuance of a state of emergency, etc.' It seems that an annual emergency is about to occur in Myanmar. '

Update: Internet service in #Myanmar has been partially restored as of midday with users learning of a new political landscape and year-long state of emergency declared by the military; network data show connectivity back up to 75% of ordinary levels ????

???? https://t.co/Jgc20OBk27 pic.twitter.com/H3P9y577Ss

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 1, 2021

Raman Jit Singh Chima, senior international adviser and Asia-Pacific policymaker for Access Now , a non-profit organization specializing in digital rights, said, 'Shutdown the Internet to prevent the transition to democracy. The act of blocking communications is unacceptable. Disconnecting at these times is the usual way to conceal violence and crackdowns and avoid their punishment. All Myanmar policymakers, including the military, are themselves. of, regardless of political beliefs, and all in order to regain the people unbroken Internet connection must immediately start the action ' comment was.

In addition, US President Joe Biden issued a statement on February 1, in which the authorities, including Mr. Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the de facto leader and seizure of power by the military in Burma, the capital of Myanmar. The detention of persons and the issuance of a national state of emergency are direct attacks on the process of democratizing the country and transitioning to law-based rule. The international community has united to put pressure on Burmese troops, and they We must immediately relinquish our seized power, release detained activists and officials, lift all communications restrictions, and work to prevent violence against civilians. '

At the same time, President Biden said, 'For the past decade, the United States has lifted sanctions in line with Myanmar's democratization,' keeping in mind that the United States had imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar during the military junta. Pointed out. 'If we want to reverse that progress, the United States must immediately review sanctions-related laws and powers and take appropriate measures,' he said, adding that economic sanctions could be resumed if the status quo continues. I have implications for being there.