Myanmar Junta Proposes Jailing Digital Currency and VPN Users – Regulated Bitcoin News

Myanmar’s military-ruled government has proposed laws that would punish users of virtual private networks (VPNs) and digital currencies with up to three years in prison. In addition, offenders can be fined up to $2,800.

Draft bill open for comment

Myanmar’s military-run government has proposed a law to ban the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and digital currencies in the country. Once enacted, violators of the new law will not only face jail time but also fines.

according to a Report Published by The Register, individuals who use VPNs can face one to three years in prison. In addition, offenders may also be required to pay a fine of US$2,800 or 5 million kyats. On the other hand, digital currency users will face a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 1 year in prison. They will also be fined up to $2,800.

In addition to targeting digital currency and VPN users, the military government’s proposed regulations would also force service providers to provide users’ personal information when requested by authorities.

The draft bill, signed by Soden, the permanent secretary of the military’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, is currently being solicited for comments. Citizens will be allowed to comment on the draft until January 28, as suggested in the report.

Proposed law criticized

In response to the proposals, the report quoted Alp Toker, a director of internet surveillance firm Netblocks, as saying he criticized the junta’s attempts to include provisions previously rejected by industry and civil society. The director said:

Proposed bill is draconian, even by Burmese standards [Myanmar] army. The first version of the bill, introduced in February 2021, was abandoned after a boycott by industry and civil society, but the military has moved on.

Toker believes that VPNs have been one of Myanmar’s ways to keep in touch with the rest of the world after the country’s military ruler came to power in February 2021, blocking social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

While Myanmar’s military rulers may succeed in enacting the proposed law, the Register report cites Tok’s warning that the decision could backfire.

“These will certainly have a chilling effect on political discourse and human rights, but in the end this will only drive public sentiment further against military rule.”

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Terence Chimwala

Terence Zimwara is an award-winning journalist, author and author from Zimbabwe. He has written extensively on the economic woes of some African countries and how digital currencies can offer Africans an escape route.