IRRAWADDY: Facebook has expanded its ban on Myanmar’s military-linked businesses, removing more pages, groups and accounts.
Earlier this year, Facebook prevented military-run businesses from advertising and blocked junta-controlled media pages, including Tatmadaw True News and Myawady TV, after the February coup.
Facebook — Myanmar’s most popular social-media platform — extended its ban on military-linked businesses on Wednesday after international documentation linked firms to military funding.
Justice for Myanmar (JFM), a group of activists that monitors the regime’s businesses and its networks, said junta-linked firms are used to finance military operations.
It criticized Facebook for continuing to allow military-linked businesses to publish and advertise.
The military-owned Mytel, one of four telecom operators in Myanmar, launched promotions offering cash and cars to new customers amid a mass boycott organized after the coup.
Mytel’s Facebook page has now been removed.
The Facebook page of military-owned Mytel was removed following this week’s announcement.
JFM welcomed the extended ban on Wednesday while calling for measures to ensure the ban is comprehensive, applying to all joint ventures with military links.
Since the February coup, Myanmar’s junta had killed at least 1,305 people by Tuesday and detained more than 10,700 people. Around 2,000 arrest warrants have been issued.
