2025 Yearly Report on Digital Repression in Myanmar

We have compiled and analyzed digital rights violations during the year 2025 in this report.

Regarding frequency, active conflict areas such as Kachin, Karenni, and Rakhine have faced only a few internet shutdowns. However, almost all of Karenni has been disconnected since 2023, with the exception of its capital, Loikaw, and its vicinity. Almost all parts of Rakhine and Chin have been similarly cut off from the internet since 2024. During the junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Yangon to commemorate the 2025 Martyr Day, multiple reports indicated mobile and internet service disruptions due to use of Jammer devices. His visit to Mandalay for the Centennial celebration of Mandalay University similarly accompanied service disruptions in Mandalay. His Thanlyin visit also brought service blackouts to the local populace. North Okklapa and Mingalardon townships in Yangon also suffered partial service disruptions during the junta second in command’s, Soe Win, visit to the graduation ceremony of military medical personnel.

Magway, Sagaing, Tanintharyi – each of these areas were subjected to more than 10 instances of internet and service shutdown within 2025.

Internet Society’s Pulse NetLoss Calculator also estimates a loss of nearly 500 million USD resulting from the internet shutdown after the 2021 military coup.

The internet shutdown situation in Myanmar has been attributed to loss of life, economic recession and livelihood of the populace. Additionally, rise of cyber crime and subsequent block of Starlink connectivity further restricted civilian’s access to critical information and livelihood.

Internet access restrictions are not exclusive to the military junta, the revolutionary forces and ethnic armed groups were also responsible for imposing access restrictions to the populace. We documented 13 instances of internet access (like Starlink) restrictions imposed by the pro-revolution armed groups in 2025.

During 2025, National Unity Government (NUG) led forces and armed forces under their command, Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), District Administration Committee of Lopwakho(လိုပွာခို) and White Star Force of Karenni state imposed internet access restrictions.

These restrictions affected AA controlled areas in Rakhine state, Kyauk Mae, Thipaw, Namtu, Moegoke towns of Shan, Maw Chee and Hpa Saung areas of Karenni state, Myaing township in Magway region, Inndaw, Bannmauk and Kani townships of Sagaing respectively. These townships are already imposed with junta’s internet shutdown restrictions.

Considering the various reasons cited by the armed forces to justify internet access restrictions, over 40% of them were around risks of targeted airstrike.

The armed forces, in addition to imposing orders restricting civilian’s access to the internet, also conducted restrictions aimed to curb freedom of expression.

In June 16 2025, public administration office of  Lauk Tu region made an announcement to restrict civilian’s access to internet and their freedom of expression.

We also observed that an initiative by AA which would allow civilians to access Starlink internet with the deposit of 1 million MMK was not yet implemented until the end of 2025.