Key facts
- Norwegian police are investigating Telenor for suspected crimes against humanity in Myanmar.
- The investigation also includes suspected sanctions violations.
- Telenor Myanmar allegedly handed over historical customer traffic data to the military regime.
- A Swedish non-profit filed a class-action lawsuit alleging Telenor Myanmar shared data of suspected political opponents, leading to at least one activist's execution.
- Telenor stated it had no choice but to comply with military orders to protect employees' lives.
Norwegian police announced on Tuesday they are investigating Telenor on suspicion of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity in Myanmar, following the country's 2021 military coup. The investigation, conducted by Norway's National Criminal Investigation Service and the PST security service, also includes suspected sanctions violations. Investigators raided Telenor's headquarters in Oslo as part of the probe.
According to the police statement, Telenor Myanmar "repeatedly handed over historical traffic data about customers to the military regime... at the same time as the regime was responsible for extensive abuses against parts of the civilian population." Telenor, which sold its Myanmar business and completed its exit in March 2022, stated it is cooperating closely with investigators.