Norwegian telecom giant Telenor faces charges of aiding crimes against humanity in Myanmar
Telenor ASA has been charged with violating sanctions law and alleged participation in crimes against humanity for providing customer data to Myanmar's military regime.
Police Security Service (PST) and the National Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos) conducted a joint search of Telenor ASA's main office in Fornebu, Oslo, after a court authorized the operation. Both agencies are probing the telecom operator's role in Myanmar, where the military seized power in February 2021. Investigators claim that Telenor handed over historic customer traffic records to the regime during the period leading up to the March 2022 sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Telenor Myanmar Ltd. This data transfer coincided with extensive human-rights violations by the military.
Kripos has charged the company with aiding crimes against humanity, while PST alleges breaches of Norway's sanctions legislation related to the unapproved export of surveillance gear. Telenor asserts that no individual staff members are being charged and that it is working closely with investigators to clarify the matter.
Why it matters
The case highlights corporate responsibility and legal risks when operating in conflict zones.
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