According to a recent report by Data for Myanmar, the military council has arrested 1,884 civilians over the past four years for alleged criticism on social media platforms. The arrests peaked during 2022 and 2023, with an average of over 700 people detained annually. However, arrest rates declined by half in 2024, with 375 social media users arrested across 119 townships. The majority of these arrests occurred in Yangon and Mandalay regions.
Most arrests were related to posts and comments made on Facebook, though some arrests were also made for content shared on TikTok, Telegram, and Viber. Following the military coup, the junta implemented various restrictions including internet shutdowns, website blocking, and banning popular social media platforms. The military council issued a threat on January 25, 2022, stating that anyone using social media for incitement, propaganda, or threats would face charges under the Counter-Terrorism Law, Penal Code, and Electronic Communications Law.
Systematic arrests of social media users began in February 2022. While initial enforcement focused primarily on Facebook content, surveillance and arrests related to TikTok content increased significantly during 2023 and 2024. Among those arrested were well-known artists, actors, and journalists, with the military council’s media outlets regularly publishing news of these arrests. In January and February 2025, an additional 20 social media users from 14 townships were arrested.
Data for Myanmar’s statistics show that an average of 50 people continue to be arrested monthly for social media activity. The yearly breakdown of arrests shows 874 people in 2022, 615 in 2023, 375 in 2024, and 20 through February 2025. The majority of those arrested, totaling 915 people, were from Yangon and Mandalay regions, with most cases related to Facebook posts. The military council has maintained its crackdown on online dissent, using various laws and regulations to suppress freedom of expression on social media platforms, while continuing to monitor and restrict internet access and online communications throughout the country.
