Access to some Internet social networks will be further restricted

People who have experienced it personally said that since last week, some of the popular social communication network Signal and Google services in Myanmar have been restricted.

After the military council banned the use of Facebook technology, an interactive social communication network called Signal has become widely used locally.

Ko Chit Oo from Mandalay, who works somewhere on the Thai-Myanmar border, told RFA that he now has full access to the Signal network after connecting to a VPN.

"Before, I used to call and talk through Messenger. When Facebook was closed by the military council, my father and mother did not use VPN, so I had to call them through Signal. Since the last week of June, Signal has been difficult to communicate with. Now that the battle near Mandalay is approaching, I am more worried about my parents."

The Google service that can store information on the Internet is also experiencing heavy slowdowns, and those who are experiencing it say that they are allowed to use it after connecting to a VPN.

A resident of Yangon, who did not wish to be named, told RFA that they are currently relying mainly on VPNs to use services on the Internet in the country.

"They want to say that they shouldn't use these things, but the people have to use them. They can't keep the information in the dark. Now, some VPNs are free, but some have to be bought and used with money. These things have emerged. People use the ones that are free. No matter how they ban, the people will continue to use them."

He said that since the military council cannot control the ongoing fighting and protests, it is trying to block social media platforms on the internet and blackout the news.

The Military Council has not yet released anything regarding the restrictions on the freedom of use of some Signal and Google services, and although RFA contacted Major General Zaw Min Tun, who is authorized to speak at the Military Council, there was no response.

Some technology experts have speculated that the Signal social network is difficult for the military council to track, so it may be trying to block it with technology.