Telenor Investors Scrutinize Myanmar Sale

Several investors in Telenor are seeking assurances from the Norwegian telecoms company that customer data will be protected following the sale of its operations in Myanmar.

Myanmar’s military rulers have given the go-ahead for a local company, Shwe Byain Phyu, to own most of Telenor’s business in the Southeast Asian country, under a deal to be finalised soon, Reuters reported on Friday.

Some human rights groups have said the handover could put the data of 18 million people within the junta’s reach, with several demonstrations held in Myanmar in recent days calling on Telenor to stop the sale altogether.

DNB Asset Management, Telenor’s fourth-largest investor with a 1.64% stake, said it had requested a meeting with the company to discuss the impending exit, describing the situation as “a considerable dilemma” for Telenor.

“We plan to discuss the management and treatment of personal data both prior to and following any sale,” said Janicke Scheele, the investor’s head of responsible investments.

Storebrand Asset Management, Telenor’s eighth-largest investor with a 1.31% stake, said it was asking the company to conduct “human rights due diligence” as it departs the country.

In an emailed statement, Kamil Zabielski, the head of sustainable investment at Storebrand, said Telenor needed to assess the likelihood that its assets could be misused after it leaves.

“Telenor must evaluate whether any customer data (or the existing infrastructure) that may eventually be transferred could be misused by the military through any purchasing counterparty and take appropriate measures to avoid or mitigate these risks,” its head of sustainable investment, Zabielski told Reuters.

Pension fund KLP, which owns 0.96%, said it was also scrutinising the sale.

“We are in dialogue with Telenor and other stakeholders on this particular matter in order to get a full picture of the circumstances,” KLP’s head of responsible investments, Kiran Aziz, told Reuters.

In response to the investor statements, Telenor said it had to comply with the law in Myanmar to protect its employees.

“Some have stated that they understand our need to leave the country, but have asked us to close the operation and delete data,” said a Telenor spokeswoman.

“Both in the event of a sale and if Telenor Myanmar returns its operating license, the data must still be stored in accordance to local legislation and license terms.”

“We cannot violate local laws without exposing our employees to danger, which is utterly unacceptable,” she added.

Shwe Byain Phyu and the Myanmar military junta did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The Norwegian government, which is Telenor’s biggest shareholder with a stake of nearly 59%, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.