Myanmar military conducts mobile phone stops and searches

The Myanmar military are stopping people in the street, checking through the data on their phones, and taking them to jail if they find suspicious messages or photos. At least 5,100 people were still in jail many months after opposing the February 1, 2021 military takeover. The spontaneous searches also deter individuals from continuing to post on social media or lead them to create new accounts they hope will evade detection, and avoid crowded streets where police or soldiers are likely to be active. New laws enacted shortly after the coup allow the authorities to intercept phone calls without a warrant, remove the requirement to have witnesses present during home searches, and require households to register overnight guests.

https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/junta-turns-phones-against-their-owners-in-a-bid-for-total-control
Writer: Myanmar Now
Publication: Myanmar Now
Publication date: 2021-07-18