Digitalizing Myanmar: Connectivity Developments in Political Transitions – Andrea Calderaro without clarifying further what sort of national security threats would justify a shutdown. New concerns were raised in June 2014, when Telenor – the second largest telecom operator in Thailand – accepted the Thai military junta’s request to stop its subscribers’ access to Facebook.18 Regarding the protection of users’ privacy and the disclosure of subscriber information, Telenor links its policy to the “UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”19 The company, however, still keeps doors for collaborations with governments. Telenor is open to disclosing customer information when a governmental request is considered appropriate, though the company does not specify what conditions are deemed appropriate. With the political uncertainty following years of repression in Myanmar and, as described later in this paper, the lack of a national law regulating data retention, Telenor’s policy documents may not be sufficient to secure the freedom of its services and the privacy of its customers. In summary, as both companies are entering the Myanmar market while telecom law is in development, both companies may contribute to the telecom reform policy debate. This may be a good opportunity for both Ooredoo and Telenor to demonstrate their plans for corporate social responsibility in Myanmar. Despite delays in launching their connectivity plans due to the absence of a national telecom law, both Ooredoo and Telenor began offering services in June 2014. 2.2 - Telecom Reform 18The Citizen Lab, “Information controls during Thailand’s 2014 Coup”, July 9, 2014. Available at: https://citizenlab.org/2014/07/information-controls-thailand-2014-coup/ 19 Telecommunications Industry Dialogue, 2013. Guiding Principles on Freedom of Expression and Privacy. Available at: http://www.telenor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Telecoms-Industry-Dialogue-%20Principles-Version1.pdf 10