The Internet Monitoring Action Project (iMAP), coordinated by Sinar Project, aimed to establish regional and in-Country networks to monitor network interference and restrictions to online freedom of expression in 9 countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The project was carried out using the Open Observatory Network Interference (OONI) detection and reporting systems, involving maintenance of test lists and measurements. API was the project implementer in Cambodia.
There are no countries in the Southeast Asian region that have gained the status of being “free” as far as internet freedom is concerned. Governments in the region are increasingly imposing regulations in a manner that restricts the flow of information across national borders and limits internet freedom. Despite being a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) that provides protection to the freedom of expression which can only be restricted in limited circumstances of legality, legitimacy and necessity under Article 19(3), Cambodia adopted an Inter-Ministerial Prakas (proclamation) on Website and Social Media Control to oblige all internet service providers to install surveillance software to monitor content circulated on the internet. The prospected National Internet Gateway, requiring internet service providers based in Cambodia, to reroute internet traffic through a regulatory body will enable monitoring of online activity.
As part of the project implementation, API produced key findings from the OONI Probe data to advocate for internet freedom and digital rights with the relevant ministries. On November 13, 2024, the latest Internet Monitoring Report was submitted, and a dialogue took place with the Ministry of the Interior. Meanwhile, the Minister of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Post accepted a formal letter and began reviewing it.
The project has been promoting digital rights and freedom of expression by strengthening the efforts of local NGO networks and activists to closely monitor internet censorship. The key findings of blocked websites in the 2024 report were presented to the Ministry of Interior and Telecommunications and Post. These ministries have the authority to influence internet service providers to unblock websites that share valuable information with citizens. The project continues to recommend unblocking those blocked websites but continue blocking particularly, those in the gambling and pornography categories. On November 13, 2024, API sent an official letter requesting a dialogue meeting, along with the Cambodia 2024 Internet Censorship Report, to the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Telecommunications and Post. In response, on November 27, 2024, API engaged in a dialogue with the Ministry of the Interior, while the Minister of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Post accepted a formal request.
The annual reports from the Cambodian side of this Project were shared with international partners, digital rights activists and journalists’ associations.
In terms of project implementation to promote digital rights and internet freedom in Cambodia, in 2024, API provided training to working groups, CSS partners, and youth groups to increase their knowledge on freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom, access to information, and advocacy strategy. The trainees were made able to share their knowledge with union members, as in the case of the Cambodiana Hotel Staff, who needed to advocate on staff termination and freedom of expression.
API coordinated with a working group, CSS partners, and youth networks to build the capacity, and provide training to working groups, CSS partners, and youth groups to increase their knowledge on freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom, access to information, and advocacy strategy.
