8 March 2021

In the time since Telenor Group provided its objection to the proposed Cyber Security Bill, the military authorities have amended the existing Electronic Transaction Law. In that law, parts of the proposed Cyber Security Bill have been included, namely the chapter on protecting personal data, as well as some provisions in the chapter on offence and penalties. The amendments have passed without due process, and our previous concerns on these chapters remains.

Furthermore, other amendments have been made to existing laws in Myanmar. Parts of the Law Protecting Privacy and Security of Citizens were suspended, and changes were made to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedural Code, resulting in a weakening of rule of law.

As a corporate citizen, we are concerned that the amendments collectively broaden the powers awarded to the military authorities and reduce protection of civil liberties and human rights in the country. This is combined with lack of checks and balances from government, civil service and judiciary. None of the changes have undergone proper consultation with civil society, stakeholders or interest groups. Thus, there is good reason to question both the lack of due process as well as proportionality of introduced penalties.

[...]

Telenor's earlier statement is available here.