Facebook service disruptions in two days

Facebook service disruptions in two days

Published on Saturday, 05 July 2014 19:25

Facebook service was down for a second time on Friday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm, following the first disruption on the previous day.

The service was down twice since the eruption of sectarian violence in Mandalay on July 1.

"Myanmar Police Force did not order the disruptions of Facebook," said MPF chief Brigadier General Win Khaung.

"The MPF did not involve in the matter. And we did not interfere with nor give any order to do so. The MPF duty is to ensure the enforcement of the law, peace and stability. Facebook is not within our reach. It should be under the jurisdiction of the Communication Ministry. You should ask the ministry for information on the matter," said Win Khaung, answering a phone call from Daily Eleven.

Ayeyawaddy news agency quoted Win Khaung as saying that Facebook service was closed to combat the rumours.

"It is true. We did it. The main purpose is to stop the spreading of incitement. The rumours and agitations may generate hate among different groups. Even a sentence or a word can lead to huge conflict. So we need to seek every possible ways and means to control the outbreak of rumours. We will have to use every possible way at the time when the situation is out of control," said the news agency quoting Win Khaung.

Facebook service has 1.3 billion subscribers around the world. It is a most popular social network in Myanmar with more than one million users, the majority of whom use the service through mobile phones.

After Facebook returned to service, many users posted complaint messages about disruptions.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/07/06/facebook-service-disruptions-in-two-days/