Social media company Facebook has banned Myanmar’s military from using the platform with immediate effect amid the ongoing conflict following a military coup in Myanmar. This means that Myanmar’s army will no longer be able to use Facebook and Instagram. The social media company said in a blog post that the ban became necessary due to other incidents, including violence, since the coup. The company said that it felt that allowing Myanmar’s military to use Facebook and Instagram was fatal.
The country’s army fell to power on February 1, overthrowing the government of the National League for Democracy (NLD). Several top leaders including the country’s supreme leader Aung San Suu Kyi were detained. Since then, a round of protests has continued throughout the country.
The army has been talking of rigging in the November 8 election. In this, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won a big victory. At least three protesters and a policeman have died in rallies in violence. Facebook said it would ban military-related advertising on its platforms. Myanmar’s Chief of the Defense Service Min Ong Henning has already been banned by Twitter and Facebook. The US has also banned them. They have been banned due to human rights violations. The US and many Western countries have appealed to Myanmar’s military government to cease violence and release political prisoners.
The US has already announced additional sanctions against Myanmar’s military rulers. The US has said that the Myanmar army should relinquish power and restore the democratically elected government. Also said that he stands with the people of Myanmar as well as the supporters who are in favor of restoring the government ousted in the country.
