Starlink Faces Heat In India Over Use Of Its Satellite Internet Devices By Smugglers And Insurgents

Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is encountering increasing regulatory scrutiny in India after it was found that its communication devices were being used by smugglers and insurgents.

The discovery has sparked alarm within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), especially regarding the potential misuse of Starlink devices for illegal activities.

Tensions heightened after Starlink devices were discovered during a major drug bust in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where smugglers reportedly utilised the satellite internet service for navigation purposes.

Starlink has reportedly declined government requests to disclose details about the original buyers of the devices, citing data privacy laws.

Following this, the MHA has reportedly instructed the DoT to take "appropriate steps" to address the matter, Economic Times reported citing a government source.

"After the recovery of these devices in the hands of drug smugglers in the Andamans, the government asked Starlink about the ownership details, but the company declined, citing data privacy laws," the source revealed

The investigation into the drug bust, which involved the seizure of 6,000kg of methamphetamine, revealed that Myanmar-based smugglers leveraged Starlink’s satellite services to establish Wi-Fi hotspots, further complicating the situation.

Director General of Police (DGP) for the Andamans, Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, reportedly confirmed that the smugglers had operated satellite phones to create these hotspots.

Apart from the drug smuggling case, Starlink devices were also found in the possession of insurgents in Northeastern state of Manipur.

In a joint operation, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles recovered Starlink communication equipment, including a satellite dish and router, allegedly tied to insurgent activities.

The Army's Spear Corps posted images of the confiscated equipment on social media, drawing widespread public attention.

Elon Musk responded to the online circulation of Starlink device images on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the company’s services were not active in India.

“This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India,” said Musk, despite the evidence presented by the Indian security forces.

The discovery of Starlink devices in the hands of unlawful groups has raised significant concerns among India’s security agencies, leading the government to scrutinise the company’s operations in the country.

Starlink remains engaged in discussions with the DoT and MHA, seeking clarity on regulatory hurdles as it continues to push for operational approval in India.

The government has reportedly indicated that Starlink’s operational approval in India hinges on robust security measures, including how the company plans to address the illegal use of its devices and control data movement.

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