SpaceX disables 2,500 Starlink terminals in Myanmar
According to Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of operations, the company disconnected the terminals in areas suspected of engaging in fraudulent activity.
She emphasized that SpaceX takes a firm stance against the misuse of its technology and cooperates with law enforcement agencies worldwide.
The action followed an AFP report indicating that hundreds of illegal ‘cyber camps’ along the Thai and Chinese borders were using Starlink to bypass internet restrictions. Several of these centers installed Starlink antennas on rooftops after Thailand restricted internet and electricity access in border regions.
These fraud centers often hire workers, including migrants, who are misled or coerced, to run social engineering scams such as investment, romance, and crypto fraud. Tens of thousands of people across Southeast Asia fell victim to such schemes in 2023, with losses exceeding $37 billion.
While SpaceX said it had deactivated more than 2,500 Starlink devices, Myanmar’s authorities reported seizing only 30 terminals during raids in the country’s southeast. The discrepancy indicates that many units were likely remotely disabled by SpaceX rather than physically confiscated.
Myanmar’s military reported confiscating 30 Starlink terminals. Source: barrons.com
The junta now faces a delicate balance: making symbolic gestures under pressure from China – whose citizens are frequently among the victims – while quietly allowing scam centers that generate revenue for paramilitary groups allied with the regime.
SpaceX stated it will continue monitoring Starlink usage, aiming to remain a positive force by providing connectivity to underserved regions while blocking access for those who exploit the technology.
