Myanmar Coup: Internet Access Said to Be Partially Restored in Country Following Blackout

Myanmar was plunged into cyber darkness on Saturday at the military's orders.

By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 8 February 2021 09:47 IST

Myanmar Coup: Internet Access Said to Be Partially Restored in Country Following Blackout

Myanmar citizens take part in a protest against the military coup in Myanmar

Highlights

Military accused Suu Kyi's government of failing to act on its complaints
Netblocks said social media platforms remained off limits on Sunday
Live Facebook feeds were broadcast of tens of thousands of protesters

Internet access was partially restored in Myanmar on Sunday, Netblocks reported, as a nationwide web blockade failed to curb public outrage and protests against the coup that ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"Partial restoration of internet connectivity confirmed in #Myanmar from 2pm local time (1pm IST) on multiple providers following information blackout," the Internet monitoring service said on Twitter.

ℹ️ Update: Partial restoration of internet connectivity confirmed in #Myanmar from ~2 pm local time on multiple providers following information blackout. However:

➡️ It remains unclear if restoration will be sustained
➡️ Social media remain blocked

???? https://t.co/Jgc20OBk27 pic.twitter.com/gX2t49OkhB
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 7, 2021

Myanmar was plunged into cyber darkness on Saturday at the military's orders.

Netblocks said social media platforms remained off limits on Sunday afternoon.

After Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Banned in Myanmar as Protests Spread

But mobile phone customers using services with MPT, Ooredoo, Telenor, and Mytel are now able to access mobile Internet data and Wi-Fi.

Earlier on Sunday Netblocks said connectivity in Myanmar was at 14 percent of usual levels.

Despite the Internet blackout several live Facebook feeds were broadcast of tens of thousands of protesters marching in the streets of Yangon.

Facebook, WhatsApp Blocked by Myanmar Junta as Opposition to Coup Grows

United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews said the Internet disruption was dangerous and a violation of human rights.

Myanmar Coup: World's Longest Internet Shutdown Ends in Parts of Country

"The generals are now attempting to paralyse the citizen movement of resistance - and keep the outside world in the dark - by cutting virtually all Internet access," he tweeted.

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Further reading: Myanmar coup, Netblocks, Telenor