EXPLAINER: Why is Facebook banning Myanmar military pages? - Associated Press

Facebook announced Thursday that it is removing all remaining Myanmar military and military-controlled pages from its site and from Instagram, which it also owns.

Days after the coup the military temporarily blocked access to Facebook because it was being used to share anti-coup comments and organize protests.

Here’s a look at Facebook’s role in Myanmar and what the banning of the military pages means.

“The role of Facebook is vital in the country,” said Nickey Diamond, a Myanmar human rights specialist with the group Fortify Rights.

and international human rights groups, Facebook banned about 20 Myanmar military-linked individuals and organizations in 2018, including Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing, for involvement in severe human rights violations.

After the coup, Facebook said it would reduce distribution of all content from Myanmar’s military, called the Tatmadaw, on its site, while also removing content that violates its community standards, including hate speech.

Facebook announced Thursday that it will ban all remaining Myanmar military-related entities from Facebook and Instagram, as well as ads from military-linked businesses.