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Elon Musk's company (Starlink) is outraged by the government's attitude and deactivates the internet signal capable of connecting the entire country; authorities say that the equipment helps criminals

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published 18/12/2024 ร s 11:16
Elon Musk's Starlink faces crisis in India after illegal antennas are used by criminals in conflict zones. Find out more!
Elon Musk's Starlink faces crisis in India after illegal antennas are used by criminals in conflict zones. Find out more!

Elon Musk, the billionaire behind technological innovations like Tesla's electric cars and SpaceX's reusable rockets, is facing a global security crisis with his satellite internet company, Starlink.

Despite promising to connect the most remote regions of the world, technology is at the center of a controversy that goes far beyond borders: smuggled antennas are being used by criminals, including in armed conflict zones.

Now with signs cut in india and questions about how the devices have been used illegally, an alert is raised not only for local authorities, but also for countries like Brazil, where Starlink technology is expanding rapidly.

After all, how can we prevent antennas from also being used for illegal activities in Brazilian territory?

The case of smuggled antennas in India

The controversy began when Indian authorities seized two Starlink antennas in operations carried out in regions of armed conflict.

According to the local government, terrorist groups were using the devices to access the internet and plan attacks against the Indian government.

Investigations revealed that this equipment arrived in the country through smuggling, mainly across the border with Myanmar, a country devastated by civil war where rebels also use the technology to organize actions against the government.

The case didn't stop there. In a second operation, methamphetamine smugglers were caught on the high seas using Starlink antennas to navigate and coordinate the transport of drugs.

These findings prompted the Indian government to send an official letter to Starlink with several questions about the control and security of its devices.

Faced with the concerns, Elon Musk used his social network X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that Starlink should not be operating in India.

According to the billionaire, the signal was never activated in the country due to the lack of official authorization to begin operations.

However, criminals are able to access the satellites thanks to the ease of activating the antennas, which are functioning normally even in areas without formal coverage.

The connection with Brazil: a warning to the authorities

In Brazil, Starlink's expansion has been rapid, with Elon Musk promising to connect rural schools and isolated communities through its satellite technology.

Despite the clear advantages, the case of India raises concerns about the risk of illegal use of these antennas in Brazilian territory.

Remote regions in the Amazon, for example, already face serious challenges related to organized crime, including drug trafficking, illegal mining and deforestation.

The ease of use of Starlink antennas could become a valuable tool for these groups to carry out illicit activities without being detected.

Furthermore, Brazil has a history of smuggling electronic equipment across its borders. As in India, trafficking in antennas via illegal routes can pose a security risk and even generate diplomatic difficulties.

To prevent the problem from recurring, experts suggest that the Brazilian government impose strict regulations on the use and import of these technologies, in addition to monitoring the application of services by Starlink.

Elon Musk and the issue of regulation

The crisis in India also highlights a problem faced by technology companies globally: the lack of clear regulation for services that operate internationally.

As governments try to keep up with these innovations, companies like Starlink continue to expand rapidly, often without meeting local legal requirements.

In the Brazilian case, Musk has already entered into a partnership with the federal government to install Starlink antennas in schools and hospitals in hard-to-reach areas.

However, experts warn that, Without adequate oversight, the technology could end up being diverted to illicit activities, especially in regions such as the Pantanal and the Amazon.

Despite the suspension of the signal in India, the unauthorized use of antennas in Myanmar continues to raise questions about the company's control over its devices.

Rebels and armed groups in that country have used the technology to coordinate operations, demonstrating that Starlink needs to reinforce its security policies to prevent similar cases from occurring in other regions of the world, including Brazil.

Technology: solution or threat?

While Starlink has been widely praised for connecting remote areas and supporting isolated communities, the crisis in India has highlighted the dark side of this innovation.

The ease of use of antennas, which can benefit underprivileged populations, also makes them a target for criminals, who see the technology as an opportunity to act strategically and without control.

In Brazil, where the technology is still expanding, the government faces the challenge of harnessing the benefits of Starlink without allowing it to become a tool for organized crime.

The crisis in India It is, therefore, an important warning for Brazilian authorities to anticipate and create mechanisms to monitor and regulate the use of these antennas more effectively.

What do you think? Is Brazil prepared to deal with the risks of this new technology? Or could the expansion of Starlink in the country end up facing problems similar to those in India? Comment your opinion!

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Elias
Elias
18/12/2024 14:11

The threat does not only come from smugglers, guerrillas, etc. The main danger is letting one man, Elon, command all of this. It is much more dangerous. He is becoming a very powerful man, with his satellites that not only provide internet, but go much further than that. His brain chip, with his rockets, cars, tunneling company, and robots, with which he wants to have more robots than the population of the planet by 2040, is moving full steam ahead to dominate this planet. We must be very careful and not accept impositions. Elon shows himself to be someone who intends to bring freedom, but the intention behind it is different. Don't be fooled. With all this power, if everything he wants to do is accomplished, then yes, we will be trapped. We will no longer have freedom. He will have all the information he wants. Those who implant this chip will be monitored and controlled through his satellites. With his robots, he will have the largest army that any country has ever had. He will come with drones, and they will not be ordinary drones, and he will monitor everything. Stay alert.

Sergio
Sergio
18/12/2024 14:15

Threat, threat, threat, threat, threat, threat, threat, threat, threat, threat, threat, total control, total control, total control, total control,

Joao Carlos Casarin
Joao Carlos Casarin
18/12/2024 14:45

Technology was made for good, if evil and corrupt people use it, it is up to the government to monitor it.

Alisson Ficher

Journalist graduated in 2017 and working in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints on broadcast TV channels and over 12 online publications. Specialist in politics, jobs, economics, courses, among other topics. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, want to report an error or suggest a topic on the topics covered on the site, please contact us by email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept resumes!

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