Companies say they can track Starlink users. Should the government be worried?

New documents claim that some technology companies can track and identify users of Starlink satellite internet terminals. Marketing materials describe software that monitors terminals used to access the service, using data sources to infer where terminals operate. At least two named companies appear to sell such capabilities to government clients rather than directly accessing or exploiting SpaceX systems. A third company advertises Starlink user identification services for government customers. SpaceX and resellers selling Starlink to U.S. government agencies did not respond to requests for comment. One company states its exports require governmental approvals and that its products are intended to help agencies address terrorism and criminal activity.

"Sales documents, highlighted recently by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, detail how software might be used to monitor terminals used to access the SpaceX internet service. At least two companies named by Haaretz, TechTarget and Rayzone, appear to be marketing tools that use a variety of data sources to surmise where Starlink terminals might be operating. The tools seem to be designed for government clients, per Haaretz, and aren't designed to access or exploit any SpaceX system directly."

"Fast Company was also able to identify a website for a third company, Shoghi, advertising Starlink user identification services for government clients. SpaceX and a series of resellers who sell Starlink to U.S. government agencies did not respond to Fast Company's request for comment. Rayzone, one of the companies listed in the Haaretz story, tells Fast Company that it operates out of the Israeli Ministry of Defense's Defense Export Control Agency and that "export of our products or technologies is subject to the required governmental approvals, in addition to our own strict internal compliance procedures.""

"The company said it would not comment on any media reports or its capabilities, and added that its products "are designed to assist governmental agencies in addressing terrorism and criminal activity." Of course, a range of actors use satellite internet services like Starlink, including activist groups, drug smugglers, and even military vessels, and there are plenty of reasons a government might want to purchase Starlink identification data from one of these firms."

Read at Fast Company