Internet cafes ordered to keep tabs on users

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – In a renewed attempt at putting internet users on the leash, internet cafe owners in Pegu have been ordered by the Chairman of Pegu Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) in Burma to keep a record of personal profiles of internet users.

The TPDC Chairman Aung Swe Myint summoned internet cafe owners to his office on February 5 and told them to maintain a record of internet users including their names and addresses. The orders, he said, percolated from the higher authorities.

"He called us to a meeting at 10 a.m. today and told us to keep a record of names and addresses of users. We had to sign on a paper acknowledging the order. He mentioned it was for security reasons," an internet cafe owner in Pegu told Mizzima.

Earlier, cafe owners had to note down names of users only. Now they have to record their addresses keeping users on tenterhooks. Most are youths, another internet cafe owner said.

"However, one is not sure if the addresses given are true. Anyway we have to note down whatever our customers tell us. The new regulation is another blow to internet freedom," he said.

There are over 20 internet cafes spread over Pegu. Most cafes use generators as they receive electricity on a rotational basis. And they charge users Kyat 400 per hour.

Most internet users in Pegu are young students, internet cafe owners in Pegu said.

"Our acquaintances know well what we do on the net. We don't use the internet for business purposes but for acquiring knowledge," an internet user told Mizzima.

The Thai based Burma Media Association (BMA) Vice-Chairman Zin Lin said that the new internet regulation violated Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which stipulates freedom in seeking and dissemination of knowledge.