Myanmar proposes imprisonment for using Bitcoin and VPN

The military authorities in Myanmar plan to introduce criminal liability for the use of cryptocurrencies and Virtual Private Network (VPN), according to a draft law that has surfaced online.

Yet another dictatorship targets VPNs and Bitcoin.

If you want to set up a fascist state, you do not want your people using these tools https://t.co/Zob12DyJr4

— Alex Gladstein 🌋 ⚡ (@gladstein) January 24, 2022

The document was published by an adviser to the Ministry of Human Rights in the country’s alternative government. It is proposed that for digital assets there would be penalties of between one and three years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 6 million kyat (~$3,374).

The Irrawaddy noted that after the 2021 coup the military banned major social platforms, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. However people access sites via VPN.

Users of such services would face sentences of six months to a year in prison or a fine of up to 6 million kyat.

The proposed bill would grant the military regime unrestricted access to user data, enable bans on undesirable content, restrict internet providers and allow intercepting data.

According to Irrawaddy, authorities have already decided to pass the act.

“Another dictatorship has targeted VPNs and Bitcoin. If you wish to establish a fascist state, you will not allow people to use these tools,” commented Alex Gladstein, the chief strategic officer of the Human Rights Foundation.

Earlier he explained how the first cryptocurrency helps safeguard the rights and freedoms of people around the world.

Back in December 2021, the alternative government of Myanmar recognised the USDT stablecoin from Tether as an official payment instrument and began raising funds to overthrow the junta.