Starlink Cuts Off 2,500 Dishes Used by Myanmar Scam Centers
▼ Summary
– SpaceX disabled over 2,500 Starlink terminals in Myanmar suspected of being used by scammers, as stated by Vice President Lauren Dreyer.
– The company complies with local laws and its Acceptable Use Policy, taking action when violations are identified, including working with law enforcement.
– Starlink is not licensed to operate in Myanmar, and terminals can be disabled individually or via geofencing to block signals in specific areas.
– Myanmar’s military reported shutting down a major scam operation, detaining over 2,000 people and seizing dozens of Starlink terminals in a raid on KK Park.
– The Karen National Union, an armed ethnic group, was accused by the military of involvement in the scams, but they deny any participation.
SpaceX has taken decisive action by disabling more than 2,500 Starlink terminals in Myanmar that were reportedly being used to support fraudulent scam centers. The company confirmed the move through a social media post from Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, who emphasized that SpaceX adheres strictly to legal and policy standards across all markets. Dreyer explained that the organization actively monitors for violations of its Acceptable Use Policy and cooperates with international law enforcement when issues arise. In this instance, terminals located near suspected illegal operations were identified and shut down.
Although Starlink is not officially authorized to provide services within Myanmar, the company retains the ability to deactivate specific terminals remotely. This can be accomplished by targeting unique device identification numbers or by implementing geofencing, which blocks satellite signals across designated geographic zones. The action follows recent reports from Myanmar’s state media, which indicated that military forces had dismantled a major online fraud ring operating close to the Thai border. Authorities detained over 2,000 individuals and confiscated multiple Starlink satellite internet kits during raids that began in early September.
One targeted location was a cybercrime hub referred to as KK Park. According to an Associated Press report, military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun accused senior members of the Karen National Union, an ethnic armed group opposing the military government, of involvement in the fraudulent activities conducted at the site. However, the Karen National Union has publicly denied any role in the scams and is recognized as part of the broader armed resistance in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict.
Recent satellite imagery and aerial drone footage have revealed extensive construction activity within heavily guarded compounds near Myawaddy, along the Myanmar-Thailand border. Agence France-Presse highlighted that these facilities appeared to be utilizing Starlink internet services on a significant scale. The region has gained notoriety for hosting numerous cyberscam operations, drawing increased scrutiny from both local authorities and international technology providers.
(Source: Ars Technica)
