Myanmar’s junta is trying to clamp down on the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) on smartphones and extorting money from those found to be using the privacy applications.
The regime blocked Facebook, other messaging apps and independent media sites following the February 2021 coup to restrict freedom of expression.
To bypass the barriers, VPNs have been used to hide browsing history and phone locations from the regime.
In late May, the regime banned the use of VPNs and inspections and extortion have been reported in Yangon, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magwe regions this week.
Two young women were searched in Thingangyun Township, Yangon, on Wednesday afternoon in a street, found to be using VPNs and detained, according to two witnesses.
“We heard that they were detained for two days at a police station until their parents paid at least 1 million kyats [around US$230 at the market rate] each,” said a resident.
Similar cases have been reported in Hlaing and Shwepyithar townships in Yangon.
In Kyauktada Township, central Yangon, there was a nighttime raid on a bar and its dormitory on Tuesday and three young waiters were detained by the police, said a source.
“The military and police said they were inspecting guest registration at the dormitory but they instead checked phones for VPNs,” he said.
The three waiters remain under detention and no details about them are known.
VPN inspections have been reported at junta-owned factories. Fines of 100,000 to 3 million kyats have been reported.
Digital rights activists said the junta wants to restrict the flow of information.
