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Facebook Removes Hundreds of Myanmar Military-Linked Accounts in Major Crackdown
Facebook has removed 270 Myanmar military-linked pages and profiles this month, according to a statement released by activist group Justice For Myanmar on January 27. The takedown represents a significant escalation in efforts to limit the online presence of Myanmar’s military, which faces accusations of war crimes and human rights abuses.
The majority of removed accounts were promoting Mytel, a telecommunications provider partially owned by the Myanmar military. Additional accounts were connected to other businesses under the military conglomerates Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) and Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL), which control vast portions of Myanmar’s economy across various sectors.
Among the purged accounts were those associated with MECtel telecommunications network, Innwa and MWD banking institutions, Sinnmin Cement, Myanmar and Dagon beer brands, Nan Myaing Cafe, and Indoor Skydiving businesses. The removal also targeted military propaganda accounts including “a Light for Justice 3,” “News Service Station,” and “Myanmar Information Community.”
This action comes amid ongoing international concern about the Myanmar military’s conduct since the February 2021 coup that overthrew the democratically elected government. The military, known locally as the Tatmadaw, has been accused by United Nations investigators and human rights organizations of widespread abuses including arbitrary detention, torture, and killings of civilians.
Justice For Myanmar, a prominent activist group documenting military abuses and business interests, had reported many of the accounts to Facebook in recent days. The group expressed appreciation for those who shared information with them that led to the takedown.
The removal of these accounts reflects Meta’s evolving policies regarding content related to Myanmar’s military. Since the 2021 coup, Meta (Facebook’s parent company) has taken increasingly stringent measures against military-affiliated accounts, including banning military-controlled state and media entities from its platforms.
Digital rights experts note that social media platforms have become crucial battlegrounds in Myanmar’s conflict. Military-affiliated entities have repeatedly attempted to establish new online presences to spread propaganda and conduct business operations despite previous bans.
Myanmar’s telecommunications sector has been particularly scrutinized, with Mytel—a joint venture between Vietnam’s Viettel and Myanmar military-owned Star High Company—frequently criticized for its military connections. Revenue from Mytel and other military businesses directly funds the Tatmadaw’s operations, according to international watchdog organizations.
In their statement, Justice For Myanmar called on other tech giants to follow Facebook’s example, specifically demanding that “Alphabet, Apple, TikTok and Telegram ban Myanmar military business and propaganda accounts now.”
Technology companies face significant challenges in Myanmar’s complex political landscape, balancing concerns about military propaganda against ensuring communication channels remain open for citizens. Digital rights advocates have long pushed for more transparent policies regarding content moderation in conflict zones.
The military’s continuing attempts to maintain digital presence through business and propaganda accounts highlights the evolving nature of information warfare in modern conflicts. As online platforms implement stricter policies, military-affiliated organizations frequently adapt by creating new accounts or shifting to less regulated platforms.
International observers are closely watching how other technology companies respond to calls for similar actions against military-linked accounts, particularly as Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen amid ongoing conflict between the military and resistance forces across the country.
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14 Comments
It’s good to see Facebook taking concrete action to address the military’s online activities in Myanmar. Dismantling their business and propaganda networks is a meaningful move, though much more needs to be done.
Agreed. The military’s grip on Myanmar’s economy and media landscape has enabled their repressive rule for far too long. This is an important first step, but real change will require sustained pressure and reform.
This crackdown on the Myanmar military’s online presence is an important step, but the underlying issues run much deeper. The military’s grip on the economy and their history of human rights abuses suggest that more fundamental change is needed.
Agreed. While disrupting their propaganda and business networks is valuable, the real challenge is addressing the military’s entrenched political and economic power in Myanmar. Sustained pressure and comprehensive reform will be required.
The removal of these Myanmar military-linked accounts is a welcome development. Social media platforms have a responsibility to counter the spread of disinformation and propaganda, especially when it’s backed by state actors committing atrocities.
Absolutely. It’s crucial that tech companies use their platforms to limit the ability of authoritarian regimes to control the narrative and suppress dissent. This is a good example of that in action.
The scale of the Myanmar military’s business and media operations is quite remarkable. I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics and networks they were using to spread their message online.
From what I’ve read, the military has long used social media to stoke ethnic tensions and spread disinformation. Shutting down these coordinated accounts is an important intervention.
It’s encouraging to see Facebook taking action to limit the spread of military-backed disinformation in Myanmar. Dismantling these coordinated propaganda networks is an important intervention, though much more work remains to address the military’s abuses.
Absolutely. This is a positive development, but the systemic problems in Myanmar will require a multi-pronged approach involving international pressure, domestic reform, and a reckoning with the military’s economic and political dominance.
Interesting to see Facebook taking action to limit the military’s online influence in Myanmar. This crackdown on their business and propaganda networks is an important step towards transparency and accountability.
Agreed, the military’s vast economic interests and propaganda machine have enabled their abuses for too long. Removing these accounts is a good start, but there’s still a long way to go.
This is an important development in the fight against authoritarian influence and military-backed propaganda. Facebook’s actions here are a positive step, but the underlying issues in Myanmar remain deeply concerning.
Absolutely, the human rights abuses and entrenched power of the Myanmar military are still major challenges. Limiting their ability to spread disinformation online is just one piece of a much larger struggle.