The legality of VPNs in Myanmar has deteriorated significantly under the military regime, creating a high-risk environment for internet users. Following the 2021 coup, the junta introduced restrictive measures that have culminated in the strict 2025 Cybersecurity Law. This legislation effectively criminalizes the use of unauthorized VPNs and circumvention tools, shifting the digital landscape from regulated to repressive. Under these new provisions, accessing the open internet without state permission is treated as a serious offense, subject to harsh legal penalties (1).
Enforcement of the VPN ban is aggressive and widespread across the country. Security forces frequently conduct random stop-and-search operations, physically inspecting citizens' mobile phones for installed VPN applications. Individuals found with such software face severe consequences, including fines ranging from one to ten million kyats and prison sentences of up to three years. The legal framework provides no protection for privacy, allowing authorities to detain users arbitrarily based solely on the presence of these digital tools (1).
"The Law grants the military sweeping powers to monitor and control online activity, forcing service providers to retain and hand over user data without judicial oversight, criminalizing VPN use, and penalizing vague categories like disinformation or content disrupting peace."
International organizations report that these draconian laws are designed to isolate the population and control the flow of information. By outlawing VPNs, the military government aims to block access to independent news sources and secure communication platforms used by the opposition. The restrictions have drawn condemnation from global human rights bodies, which argue that the law violates fundamental freedoms of expression and creates a digital enclosure that facilitates state surveillance and censorship (2).
Source:
https://freedomhouse.org/country/myanmar/freedom-net/2024
https://www.icnl.org/resources/civic-freedom-monitor/myanmar
Last updated: 14-01-2026 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
