Two Israeli companies have developed technology capable of locating—and in some cases identifying—users of Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, according to an investigation into commercial surveillance tools. Starlink offers internet connectivity independent of traditional national infrastructure, making it a vital resource in regions where access to communication networks is restricted or disrupted.

Starlink’s satellite-based service has become an essential means of internet access for various groups, including protesters in Iran, Ukrainian military personnel amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, and other users operating in remote or censored environments. The system’s ability to provide connectivity without reliance on local cellular networks poses both opportunities and challenges in security and intelligence contexts.

The surveillance tools developed by the Israeli firms do not involve hacking into Starlink networks or intercepting users’ data traffic. Instead, according to sales documents obtained during the investigation, these technologies employ data fusion techniques to map the geographic locations of Starlink terminals globally. This mapping can reveal the position of devices used to access the internet through Starlink and, in some cases, attempt to identify the individuals or entities behind the terminals.

Experts note that digital intelligence capabilities are rapidly adapting to satellite-based communication technologies to meet growing demands from states for monitoring and control. While Starlink serves as a lifeline for people in conflict zones and under regimes imposing internet shutdowns, such as Sudan, Myanmar, and Iran, the ability to track terminals highlights new vulnerabilities related to satellite internet usage.

Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, head of Amnesty International’s Security Lab, emphasized the significance of satellite internet like Starlink for populations living under restrictive communications environments. He pointed out that these services often represent the last communication channel available for documenting rights abuses, calling for assistance, and sharing information with the outside world.

Launched in 2015, Starlink has shifted the landscape of global internet connectivity by allowing users to purchase a terminal—a compact device roughly the size of a computer screen—at a relatively low upfront cost along with a monthly subscription. These terminals house a satellite dish and router that connect directly to SpaceX’s constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, enabling internet access without dependence on local telecom networks.

The revelation of technologies capable of locating Starlink users underscores the complex interplay between the democratization of internet access through satellite services and the expanding efforts by governments and private firms to monitor and control digital communications in contested environments.