Myanmar enacts cybersecurity law that aims to restrict use of VPNs

[ad_1] Myanmar’s junta has enacted a cybersecurity legislation that can penalize unauthorized provision of digital personal networks, or VPNs, which many individuals use to avoid web restrictions to get entry to information and data and to report on what's going on of their nation.

The legislation, which got here into impact on Wednesday, is aimed toward stopping cyberattacks by way of digital know-how that threatens nationwide sovereignty, peace, and stability, in addition to to successfully examine and produce expenses in opposition to cybercrimes, the ruling navy stated in an announcement revealed in newspapers.

Myanmar cracked down on the web and the media after the navy ousted an elected authorities in early 2021, sparking an armed rebellion that has raised questions in regards to the sustainability of broadly unpopular military rule.

With the media underneath the management of the navy largely a mouthpiece of the generals, many individuals depend on VPNs to skirt management and get entry to impartial and international media and to ship materials in a foreign country.

The legislation units out a penalty of six months in jail and a wonderful for “unauthorized VPN set up or service.”

A VPN service supplier instructed Radio Free Asia that the legislation could possibly be disastrous for his enterprise.

“It’s actually unhealthy for us,” stated the service supplier, who declined to be recognized for safety causes.

“Even when there’s demand, we don’t dare promote it. We’ll regulate whether or not they really take motion on it or not. In the event that they actually crack down on offering VPN service, we’ll should register formally.”

The legislation additionally units out jail for as much as six months, and or a wonderful, for distributing, transferring, copying or promoting data that's “inappropriate for the general public” by way of digital know-how.

It additionally units out jail of six months to a 12 months for anybody discovered working an unlawful on-line playing system. Unlawful playing, typically organized by gangsters from China, has proliferated in additional lawless elements of Myanmar and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.