Elon Musk Denies Starlink Misuse in India — Satellite Service Linked to Conflict

Key Takeaways

• The Indian army seized what looks like a Starlink Mini antenna from insurgents in Manipur.
• Pointing out that Starlink is not licensed in India, Elon Musk rejected concerns rebels were using the service.
• Around the world, smuggled Starlink devices have been used to circumvent internet restrictions.

Elon Musk has denied allegations that Starlink is being used illegally in the Indian state of Manipur.

After the army shared images that appeared to show Starlink equipment among seized weapons, Musk insisted that the satellite internet service is “turned off over India”.

Starlink Gear Shows up in Conflict Zone

In a photo shared on X, the Indian army’s spear corps displays weapons, ammunition, and what appears to be a Starlink-branded antenna seized from raids in the districts of Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kagpokpi in Manipur.

The state, which was annexed by India in 1949, has long been plagued by ethnic violence and inter-group conflicts that center on political divisions and tribal land disputes.

In 2023, clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities led to a resurgence of tensions, fueling the activities of different separatist and insurgent groups in the region.

Since then, the government has deployed thousands of troops and armed police to crack down on the Manipur insurgency. In a bid to cut off the rebels’ communication channels, it has also enforced curfews and shut down the internet in certain areas.

Musk Dismisses Concerns

In comments on the army’s post, many Indians questioned what insurgents were doing with Starlink equipment when the service isn’t even licensed in the country.

Although it initially applied for an Indian telecoms license in 2021, Starlink’s application has yet to overcome regulatory hurdles in the country.

Commenting on the charges that Starlink was being used by insurgents, Elon Musk, who is the CEO of Starlink owner SpaceX, rejected allegations that his company was at fault.

“This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India,” Musk observed in an X post .

However, despite Musk’s reassurances, cutting off internet access for an entire country is no simple feat.

Challenges Blocking Starlink

Just over the border from Manipur in Myanmar, locals have tapped into spillover bandwidth from satellites serving other countries, even though the military junta has outlawed Starlink.

After all, radio waves don’t map onto national borders, and attempts to block signals beamed from outer space inevitably lack accuracy.

In other countries where Starlink doesn’t have the same commercial or political interests, the company transmits internet service regardless of whether it has the national government’s permission.

For example, in 2022, Musk announced  that he would activate Starlink services in Iran, a move that has been fiercely opposed by the regime.