Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink network is experiencing a surge in black-market trade worldwide, allowing users to bypass government controls and embargoes, aiding various informal groups and businesses. The network, touted for its high-speed internet capabilities "available almost anywhere on Earth," is now accessible in territories under repressive regimes, making previously unreachable locations connected. However, this has led to Starlink terminals falling into the wrong hands, posing global security concerns. The abuse of these terminals is a systemic problem, with reports of them being used in war-torn countries and by entities bypassing sanctions, such as Russia's use in Ukraine to coordinate drone attacks amidst building new railway tracks in occupied Ukraine. Ukraine relies on Starlink for its drone warfare, but the unauthorized use by Russia has prompted Ukraine to impose new regulations and seek a whitelist system from SpaceX, which has sought Pentagon guidance. Meanwhile, Starlink terminals are being crowdsourced in Russia and supplied against sanctions to Russian military personnel. Amidst this, Starlink subscribers continue to rise, and the service is now available in Argentina, marking its presence in 72 countries worldwide.
Starlink now in Argentina! https://t.co/xv7LgNL1L9
Starlink is now available in Argentina, making it the seventh country in South America and 72nd in the world where people can access high-speed, low-latency internet from space 🛰️🇦🇷 → https://t.co/JDETbvxJny https://t.co/TT8RpkAugo
Starlink subscribers 📈 https://t.co/QCjLmDFhjK
The Islamic Republic has deployed not just its local police but also international lawyers to stamp out black-market use of SpaceX's Starlink internet network. https://t.co/95eWhzpq0l
analysts suggested there may be more Starlinks in contested areas than months earlier, on both sides of the lines, which could impact connection speeds. #Ukraine #Russia https://t.co/mvjq5vubOb
Elon Musk’s high-speed internet kits are circulating on the black market: Listen to the Big Take podcast from @business and @iHeartRadio https://t.co/DAKrObkwzv
Ukraine relies on Starlink for its drone war. Russia appears to be bypassing sanctions to use the devices too https://t.co/YKnxhH5i4V
Russian use of Starlink in Ukraine is causing problems, soldiers tell @npwcnn. A source told me Ukraine has imposed new regulations and is trying to get @SpaceX to adhere to a "whitelist" system of approved terminals. SpaceX has sought Pentagon guidance. https://t.co/lDlkZhgF00 https://t.co/92cjZqUroS
🚀🛰️Reports emerged that @Starlink terminals are being crowdsourced in Russia & supplied against sanctions & tech export controls restrictions to Russian military personnel for use against Ukraine. No need for @SpaceX to wait: enforce the tech export controls by disabling these… https://t.co/DY7mdbRmah
#Ukraine relies on #Starlink for its drone war. #russia appears to be bypassing sanctions to use the devices too | @CNN #SupportUkraine #russiaWarCrimes #USAarmUkraine https://t.co/1oi9S9KK5I
#FPTech: Russia is bypassing sanctions to hijack Ukraine's Starlink infra to coordinate drone attacks https://t.co/qypnZkDUoD
Black market boom: Starlink terminals pose global security concerns https://t.co/udjmJdWqXN https://t.co/bTAIeT9F12
Starlink terminals are being sold on black markets around the world - Bloomberg As the publication notes, the abuse of terminals is a systemic global problem and calls into question the company’s control over them. Thus, Starlink is widely used in countries where there is war -… https://t.co/7Act56TlLZ
Satellite images reveal that Russia is building new railway tracks in occupied Ukraine to improve their military logistics 🛰️⤵️ As Western allies stall on arming Ukraine to target the Crimean Bridge, Russians seize the opportunity and construct an alternative connection route.… https://t.co/cLBzTumIbP
Starlink’s rapid growth and influence has made it an indispensable part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX https://t.co/Q2klfAhe5c
Starlink is making the most unreachable places reachable with internet. https://t.co/xxNNddrnn3
Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals are falling into the wrong hands https://t.co/LoaUnZtLwD
SpaceX’s Starlink touts its high-speed internet as "available almost anywhere on Earth.” Yes, even in territories ruled by repressive regimes. https://t.co/RJ6ITtT6rB
Elon Musk's SpaceX Sees Starlink Black-Market Trade Grow Worldwide https://t.co/Z9swoJPmP0 Allows for an end-run around government controls and incompetence. Breaks information embargoes. Aids rag-tag troops, and informal businesses.