(Reuters) – Internet providers in Myanmar were launching state-owned MPT telecoms blocking access to Facebook Inc.-owned services in the country on Thursday, days after military leaders seized power in a coup.
A letter posted online by the Ministry of Communications and Information overnight said Facebook would be blocked until Feb. 7 for “sustainability.”
Some users in Myanmar said that they were unable to access several Facebook services.
The state-owned network monitoring group NetBlocks MPT Telecom, which claims to have 23 million users, has confirmed Facebook has been blocked in addition to its Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp services. Telenor Asa of Norway said they had just blocked Facebook to follow the instructions.
Facebook thought Andy Stone recognized the riot.
“We urge the authorities to restore contacts so that people in Myanmar can communicate with their families and friends and access important information,” he said.
Half of Myanmar’s 53 million people use Facebook, which is connected to the internet for many.
“Right now the people who are concerned about the stability of the country … are spreading false news and misinformation and causing misunderstanding among people by using Facebook,” the ministry letter said.
Telenor raised “serious concerns” about the guidelines, which they said were received by all mobile operators and internet service providers on Wednesday.
They said in a statement that it was leading users to a message saying that Facebook websites could not be reached due to government order.
“While the guidance has a legal basis in Myanmar law, Telenor does not believe that the application is based on necessity and proportionality, in accordance with international human rights law,” he said.
On Tuesday, the militants warned against posting what they said were rumors on social media that could provoke unrest and cause instability.
UN human rights analysts have previously said that hate speech on Facebook played a key role in the violence in Myanmar. The company has said it was too slow to prevent misinformation and hate in the country.
This week, Facebook said it was treating the situation in Myanmar as an emergency and taking temporary measures to protect against damage such as the removal of content that recommends or endorses the cup , according to a spokesperson.
Reporting with Poppy McPherson, Elizabeth Culliford and Paresh Dave; edited by Richard Pullin