Myanmar has ordered mobile networks and internet service providers in the country to block Twitter and Instagram in the country as well. The country had recently issued a similar order to block Facebook.

The country’s military seized power in a coup last week. The military also detained its civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other government officials.

“All mobile operators, international gateways and internet service providers in Myanmar received a directive on 5 February 2021 from the Myanmar Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) to, until further notice, block the social media platforms Twitter and Instagram,” Norwegian telecom company Telenor had said in a statement. Telenor provides mobile services in Myanmar.

Also read:

– Facebook Content Moderators In Ireland Demand Work-From-Home Rights
– Your Facebook Phone Number Is Being Sold On Telegram Via A Bot
– Twitter Blocks Indian Users From Viewing Several Accounts At The Request Of The Government

Facebook users had reportedly been using the social media platform to protest the coup. The users via the social media site were sharing photos of themselves giving the three-finger salute that’s associated with resistance in the country.

Myanmar’s Information Ministry in an earlier statement had warned people not to spread rumors on social media after the coup. “Some media and public are spreading rumors on social media conducting gatherings to incite rowdiness and issuing statements which can cause unrest. We would like to urge the public not to carry out these acts and would like to notify the public to cooperate with the government in accordance with the existing laws,” the statement read.

Rafael Frankel, Facebook’s director of public policy, APAC emerging countries, says it is “extremely concerned” by the orders; also urging authorities to unblock access immediately. “At this critical time, the people of Myanmar need access to important information and to be able to communicate with their loved ones,” He said.

For your daily dose of tech, lifestyle, and trending content, make sure to follow Plat4om on Twitter @Plat4omLive; on Instagram @Plat4om; on LinkedIn at Plat4om; and on Facebook at Plat4om. You can also email us at info@techtalkwithtdafrica.com and join our channel on Telegram at Plat4om. Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.