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The expansion of Elon Musk's satellite internet company raises questions about digital sovereignty, national security and technological control in the Amazon. Italy and other countries have also expressed concern about the advance of Starlink.
Starlink, a satellite internet company controlled by Elon Musk, is under analysis by Anatel (the National Telecommunications Agency) for possible geopolitical and strategic risks to Brazil. The concern goes beyond technology: it involves national sovereignty and the growing dominance of a foreign big tech company over connectivity in sensitive areas, such as the Amazon region.
According to a report by Estadão published on March 23, 2025, Starlink's request to increase the number of satellites operating over Brazil has been blocked for over a year. Anatel assesses, in addition to technical criteria, the possible economic and national security impacts associated with the actions of the North American company.
Elon Musk's Starlink presence in the Amazon sparks debate on digital sovereignty
Starlink currently has more than 250 customers in Brazil, with a strong presence in isolated areas of the Legal Amazon, according to research by The Guardian. The company provides high-speed internet in places where traditional providers do not operate, benefiting schools, indigenous communities, health centers and even public security bases.
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However, this connectivity has also raised concerns about technological dependence. According to environmentalists, NGOs and local authorities, there are concerns that the use of the satellite network could facilitate illegal activities, such as mining in protected areas. An article in The Guardian, in September 2024, warned about the “silent dominance” of Elon Musk’s Starlink in the Amazon territory, highlighting the lack of state control over its operation.
In a note, Anatel reported that the company must meet the country's regulatory criteria and ensure that its actions “do not compromise the autonomy of Brazilian communications”.
Italy and other countries have already blocked or restricted the company
Brazil is not the only country to put Starlink's operations under scrutiny. Italy recently halted negotiations with the Elon Musk's company, as revealed by the newspaper El País on March 19, 2025. According to the Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, Musk's public figure “generates political and strategic noise”, making the operation delicate from a national security point of view.
According to El País, the Italian government fears that data collected via satellite by private companies could be used inappropriately, violating confidentiality agreements or serving the interests of other countries.
Concerns have also been raised by authorities in the European Union and African countries, where the company has started operations in politically unstable regions. In these locations, governments have warned of the need to create specific regulatory frameworks for the operations of satellite companies with strong surveillance and data collection capabilities.
