Are You Ready

With increasing mobile
phone usage in Myanmar

more people are gaining
access to the Internet.

It is now regarded
as an effective tool

for open communications and
promoting a global economy.

According to the Internet World Statistics,
58% of Southeast Asians access the Internet.

In Myanmar, 33% of our
people are Internet users.

Globally, more people are using the
internet to access social media.

From 28.7% in 2010, the number of users
worldwide increased to 54.4% in 2018.

In 2013, the government created a new
telecommunications law, aiming to develop

modern electronic communication
platforms with new telcos

that will build sustainable
tech for Myanmar.

However, Article 66(D)

is used to condemn dissent

instead of securing free communications.

In Myanmar, using Facebook
is the main internet activity

to share stories and opinions
with friends and family.

Yet, the Myanmar people,

who are expressing
diverse views online,

are now prone to defamation cases

with the existence of
the ambiguous Article 66(D)

of the Telecoms Law.

What is Article 66(D)?

It is a criminal provision
that penalises people

who are extorting, defaming,
disturbing or threatening

any person using any
telecom network.

Anyone found guilty will face
a jail term not exceeding two years,

or pay a fine of not more than
1 million kyats (US$700), or both.

Given the gravity of its sanctions,
the article does not protect anyone

against malicious claims.

Contrary to government claims,

the law has not been used to
support tech development.

Instead, it’s been used as a weapon
to suppress the voices of the people.

Under the current government,
82% of 66(D) cases against civilians

were by government and state officials.

The same trend was observed
in the previous government.

More than half of these cases were
filed by the police and military,

whose actions were
met with protests.

The majority of the accused
were political party members,

journalists,

religious people,

human rights activists and artists.

Together, let us assert our right
to a free and open internet.

Let us abolish Article 66(D)!

The rest of the
cases under 66(D)

were against ordinary
citizens like you and I.

It can target
anyone, anytime.

Our freedom of expression should and
will not be trampled by one article.

Let us bring real democracy to
Myanmar by abolishing 66(D)!