Myanmar broadens social media crackdown as anti-coup protests grow

Lawyers who graduated from the Yadanabon University flash the three-fingered salute of protest in Mandalay, Myanmar Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. The military authorities in charge of Myanmar broadened a ban on social media following this week's coup, shutting access to Twitter and Instagram, while street protests continued to expand Saturday as people gathered again to show their opposition to the army takeover. A banner reads "We condemn the unlawful coup. No to dictatorship." - AP

YANGON, Feb 6, 2021 (AFP): Myanmar's military rulers have broadened a crackdown on social media in a bid to stifle growing signs of popular dissent, as a UN envoy made direct contact with the new regime to pressure it into reversing this week's coup.

Twitter confirmed on Saturday it had become the latest platform blocked by the junta, following a surge of new users seeking to circumvent blocks on Facebook and other internet domains.