The Electronic Transactions Act (2004) is a broadly worded statute that can be used to impose criminal penalties on individuals who post information on the Internet. Sections 33(a), 33(b) and 38 describe using electronic transactions technology to commit any act detrimental to the security of the state; sending or receiving information relating to the secrets of the security of the state; attempting conspiring or abetting. In 2014, the law was amended to reduce the penalties to between five and seven years. While the Burmese government’s use of section 33 has waned in recent years, it was used aggressively against bloggers, activists, and others trying to disseminate information about the 2007 Saffron Revolution.
For example, in 2007, a blogger, Nay Phone Latt, was arrested for sending information about the Saffron Revolution to bloggers outside of the country. In his email inbox, the authorities found a caricature of the then-military leader Than Shwe, and on that basis charged him with violating section 33 of the Electronic Transactions Act. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for violating the Electronic Transactions Act.
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