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Internet Filtering in Burma

Depth and Implications from the Western

Perspective

Kristin KopachUniversity at AlbanyDecember 10, 2010

http://www.ashin-sopaka.online.de/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/walking-monks.jpg

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³Question: Why doesn¶t Burma have any

dentists?

 Answer: Because we aren¶t allowed to

open our mouths.´ - Reporter for the Democratic Voice of Burma

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Facts: Politics Military junta regime (SPDC), recently³elected´ on Nov. 7, 2010. Took over gov¶tin 1968

SPDC changed name to ³Myanmar´ in1989. Referring to it as Burma denotessupport for pro-democracy movements

 Aung Sun Suu Kyi: Rightfully won electionsin 1990. Placed under house arrest untilNovember 13, 2010

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Views from West US/UK/CA/EU all support sanctions.

CA/UK fund many humanitarianprograms

US, out of all, has most interest inaccess to unfiltered internet

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Facts: Internet Internet: 2 ISPs, state owned.

~.2% internet penetration Most internet accessed at cafés for 

$0.30-0.50/hr. Average dailyearnings:$3.00/day.

 Average connection speed- 50KB/s

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SocialSocial content: Content related to sexuality, gambling, and illegal drugs and alcohol, as well as other topicsthat may be socially sensitive or perceived as offensive.

http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html

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PoliticalPolitical content: Content that expresses views in opposition to those of the current government, or is relatedto human rights, freedom of expression, minority rights, and religious movements.

http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html

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Conflict/Security

Conflict & security: Content related to armed conflicts, border disputes, separatist movements, and militantgroups.

http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html

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Internet ToolsInternet tools: Web sites that provide e-mail, Internet hosting, search, translation, Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) telephone service, and circumvention methods.

http://map.opennet.net/filtering-IT.html

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Depth of Filtering

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The Election First in 20 years

Many parties disenfranchised, many citizens made ineligibleto vote

DDoS attack/ Sim Card ban Electioneering occurred

³The elections were based on a fundamentally flawedprocess and demonstrated the regime's continuedpreference for repression and restriction over inclusion

and transparency´-President Obama

³Heartbreaking´- Secretary Clinton

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What does this tell us? The new way of accessing information is the

internet, hence the new medium for social change(ex Zapatista movement in Mexico)

The West, particularly the US, feel that access tothe internet is essential to democracy

Burma does not seem to be opening up their internet access therefore:

The West will continue sanctions

The junta will continue enjoy its dictatorship

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Fin