Military imposes ‘near total’ internet shutdown amid Myanmar protests

Myanmar's military rulers have restricted internet access amid protests denouncing the coup and demands for the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

By Saturday afternoon, a "near total internet shutdown" was in effect in Myanmar, according to monitoring group NetBlocks Internet Observatory, with connectivity at just 16 per cent compared to ordinary levels.

"The information blackout is likely to severely limit coverage of anti-coup protests," the group added.

It came amid the first street demonstration in the capital Yangon since Monday's coup and calls on social media for people to join the march.