Ministries and experts are cooperating to develop a new social media platform to replace Facebook, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of the State Administration Council (SAC).

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun answered the question about Facebook at the press conference of the State Administration Council held at the Ministry of Information on August 17.

"What I want to say is that this is very dangerous. We are also working to limit this. When we are working to limit it, we are working in two ways. Number one method is that when it is limited, as we all know, there is a way to bypass it like using VPN software. However, we are doing to prevent it, and the relevant ministries are also working to prevent it from happening. However, we have not achieved full success. We have one more responsibility to do. A person who has already used this cannot be stopped from using it. We have to look at the desire of his mind. We also have to look at this on the public. We are also developing a new social media platform to replace it. Two or three ministries are cooperating with experts to create it. We will continue to do this," Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said.

In addition, he said, restrictions on companies from Myanmar and companies related to Myanmar that are advertising on Facebook will continue.

“Another thing is the restrictions. The limitations are the income earned from Facebook which are so much in Myanmar because of advertisements. We must continue to restrict those who are advertising and receiving, Myanmar companies and the companies related to Myanmar,'' he said.

Facebook has a lot of influence on national identity, culture and politics in Myanmar and the things that are causing political unrest are happening on Facebook, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

"Usually, things that cause political unrest and most of the inciting violence at the moment are on Facebook. The people and organization which is responsible for Facebook gave many reasons for it," Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said.