Myanmar's junta blocked Facebook and other messaging services on February 4, ostensibly to ensure "stability" following a coup in which they overthrew the democratic government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, according to multiple publications. Officials announced on Facebook that the social media platform would be blocked for the sake of "stability" starting February 4 until the midnight of February 7. Half of Myanmar's 54 million people use Facebook, which has also become a platform to express anger and dissent against the coup, reported BBC News. Internet access monitoring website Netblocks reported that Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp servers were restricted on state-owned telecom provider MPT and multiple ISPs. "Data show variations by provider, with MPT targeting a wider range of the company's services than Telenor," Netblocks said. Some companies restricted access to the Facebook website and others blocked the wider suite of Facebook products and mobile apps, it added. ⚠️ Update: Network data show Facebook products now blocked across the board by major internet operators in #Myanmar; findings indicate significant variation in implementation as military compels companies to comply with banning order following coup ? ? https://t.co/Jgc20OBk27 pic.twitter.com/xdU8F1qIUd — NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 4, 2021 Norwegian telecom company Telenor expressed "grave concerns" regarding "breach of human rights" around the blockage, while complying with the directive, per The Myanmar Times. While the directive has legal basis in Myanmar law, Telenor "does not believe that the request is based on necessity and proportionality, in accordance with international human rights law". The military…
