Myanmar: Internet shutdown in Rakhine and Chin state

Since 21 June 2019, an internet shutdown has been in place across eight townships in Rakhine and Southern Chin states. The internet shutdown is part of the central government’s response to conflict between the Tatmadaw government forces and the Arakan Army (AA). On 1 August 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to maintain the internet shutdown but allowed 2G services, now available in seven townships in Rakhine and one township in Chin. Some 86,000 people are internally displaced across the two states because of conflict. The internet shutdown heavily impacts information on ongoing violence in the region, upcoming national elections, information on COVID-19, as well as increases protection concerns.