You're probably not in Myanmar right now

This issue is about Myanmar. If you're reading this, you're online and most likely not in Myanmar, I assume. I've noticed that I hadn't heard much about what's happening there in a long time (and didn't make it a priority to do more research on it myself), so I wanted to highlight a part of life there that's so common to us -- but very challenging for many people there at the moment: the internet. Plus a photo series on Paraguay's prisons, a Palestinian sound archive, an Arabic version of German Schlager, Love is Blind Argentina, some good news from Kenya and Mexico and how biodiversity became sexy. And so much more!

Getting online is a constant challenge in Myanmar

What happened:
Life online in Myanmar has become nearly impossible, especially for people in the northern regions. The military, which took control in 2021, has ramped up restrictions with internet blackouts, social media blocks, and now even a VPN ban. For residents, it means major hurdles in everything from staying in touch with loved ones to running a business and accessing news or social media.

Why this matters:
When "we" talk about what's going in Myanmar, "we" often miss the experiences of everyday people and the struggles they've been facing since the military coup in 2021. Only 44% of Myanmar's population is online (the lowest in Southeast Asia), and with 300+ internet shutdowns since 2021, Myanmar now has one of the world's worst internet restrictions.

Tell me more:
In heavily restricted areas like Kachin and Shan states, essential apps like Signal and WhatsApp don't work, though Telegram and TikTok (which the military uses for propaganda) still do. There's also a junta-version of YouTube, called MTube, and MySpace. The recent VPN ban has made things worse. Seng, an online shop owner in Kachin, has to travel to Yangon just to upload photos for her store, hoping to find a working VPN. For many, VPNs were a crucial tool for secure communication, allowing them to stay under the military's radar, so losing them feels like a real risk to safety.

What's the cost of bypassing the VPN ban?
It's risky business. Those found with banned apps on their devices could face fines or even jail time. This clampdown has hit small business owners, aid workers, students, and journalists the hardest. Many people are forced to rely on less secure, free VPNs, which make them even more vulnerable to military tracking, said Wai Phyo Myint, Myanmar lead at digital rights nonprofit Access Now.

Does Starlink work there?
In some places, satellite-based internet through Starlink has become the only way to get online, yes. Since it's not officially licensed in Myanmar, anti-junta groups have been setting up Starlink connections across regions like Sagaing and Magway. Over 3,000 Starlink dishes are estimated to be in use, and they're helping people communicate, share news, and even conduct medical care in isolated areas.

But what about those without Starlink?
For most people in Myanmar, however, Starlink is out of reach, so they turn to creative workarounds: long trips to access Thai mobile networks, walkie-talkies (!), and sometimes satellite phones. These methods come with their own headaches, from constant signal jamming to the high costs of equipment. Staying online, for many, is not only a daily challenge---it's a serious risk.

A related reminder:
Last week, October 23 marked two years since the junta bombed a music concert in A Nang Pa, in Kachin State's jade mining region of Hpakant, killing dozens of civilians. For Frontier Myanmar, Emily Fishbein, Zau Myet Awng, Jaw Tu Hkawng and Nu Nu Lusan reported what exactly happened back in 2022. On Twitter/X, Emily Fishbein also shared that among those killed was Aurali, a prominent Kachin singer....