Myanmar blocks Twitter and Instagram after coup

Myanmar’s new military government has ordered telcos and internet service providers to Twitter and Instagram to block. Facebook went black before. With the measures, the new military government wants to guarantee ‘stability’ in the country.

The military in Myanmar recently seized power after losing elections last November.

Norwegian telecom giant Telenor, one of Myanmar’s largest telecom companies, said the government has ordered ISPs to block Twitter and Instagram “until further notice.” Myanmar’s telecommunications laws allow this by law, but Telenor says it “disputes the necessity”. According to Telenor, the blackouts are also in violation of international human rights.

Several individuals in Myanmar have confirmed that they could not access Twitter. NetBlocks, which tracks global internet usage, reported on Feb. 5 that multiple networks in the country began to block Twitter.