Norwegian telecoms giant Telenor is facing a class action lawsuit in Norway over claims its Myanmar subsidiary exposed more than 1,200 customers to military repression by handing over sensitive phone data after the 2021 coup.

The case, filed by the Justice and Accountability Initiative, alleges that call logs and location data were shared with the junta, enabling arrests and even executions of political opponents. Among those affected was civil society activist Aung Thu, who says his re-arrest and extended sentence were based on information provided by Telenor. Popular hip hop artist and former lawmaker Phoe Zeya Thaw was also executed in 2022, with the lawsuit claiming his data had been handed over weeks earlier.

The suit seeks €9,000 in damages per customer, arguing that Telenor failed to protect users from authoritarian surveillance. If successful, it would mark the first time a telecoms company has been held accountable for enabling repression through data access.

Telenor, 54% owned by the Norwegian state, insists it had no choice but to comply with junta demands. The company said refusing could have led to imprisonment, torture or even death for its local staff. “Telenor Myanmar had no real options. We could not play Russian roulette with the lives of our employees,” it said, adding that responsibility for abuses lies with Myanmar’s military authorities.

Rights groups disagree, saying the company’s compliance facilitated persecution. The Open Society Justice Initiative, which is supporting the case, described it as a landmark attempt to hold corporations accountable for human rights violations.

Telenor exited Myanmar in March 2022, selling its operations amid pressure to activate surveillance technology. But critics argue the damage was already done, with data from at least 1,253 phone numbers allegedly shared before the sale.

For victims and their families, the lawsuit represents a chance at justice. “It is not just a wife losing her husband,” said Tha Zin, widow of Zeya Thaw. “It is also a loss to democracy.”

The case now puts Telenor at the centre of a global debate over corporate responsibility in conflict zones, raising questions about how far companies should go to protect their employees—and how much they owe to their customers.

-2026-04-09

On 4/10/2026 at 11:06 AM, geovalin said:

Telenor, 54% owned by the Norwegian state, insists it had no choice but to comply with junta demands.

Ah. That old "I was only following orders" excuse being rolled out again.

All the telecoms companies regularly hand over data when ever the government demands it

there is literally no choice...other than ceasing to do business..at least Telenor did sell up and leave.