Brazil strikes deal with Musks Starlink to curb criminal use in the Amazon rainforest

On Friday, Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office revealed an agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink to limit the use of its services in illegal mining and various criminal activities in the Amazon.

Starlink’s fast, lightweight internet network has quickly expanded throughout the Amazon, an area that for years faced issues with slow and inconsistent connectivity. However, criminal organizations have also embraced the service to organize logistics, process payments, and obtain notifications regarding police operations. It’s the initial accord of its sort targeted at limiting such usage after years of urging from Brazilian officials.

Starting in January, Starlink, a branch of Musk’s SpaceX, will mandate identification and residence verification from all new users in Brazil’s Amazon area. The company will additionally supply Brazilian officials with user registration and geolocation information for internet units situated in regions being investigated.

If it’s determined that a terminal is utilized for unlawful purposes, Starlink has pledged to disable the service. The agreement lasts for two years and is eligible for renewal.

Illegal gold mining has polluted numerous miles of Amazon rivers with mercury and disturbed the traditional lifestyles of various Indigenous tribes, including the Yanomami. Starlink, introduced to the region in 2022, has allowed criminal organizations to oversee mining activities in isolated locations, where logistics are challenging and equipment and fuel need to be delivered by small aircraft or boat.

“The use of satellite internet has transformed the logistics of illegal mining. This new reality demands a proportional legal response. With the agreement, connectivity in remote areas also becomes a tool for environmental responsibility and respect for sovereignty,” federal prosecutor André Porreca said in a statement.

Illegal gold miners and loggers have always had some form of communication, mainly via radio, to evade law enforcement. Starlink, with its fast and mobile internet, has significantly enhanced that capability, Hugo Loss, operations coordinator for Brazil’s environmental agency, told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

“They’ve been able to transmit in real time the locations of enforcement teams, allowing them to anticipate our arrival, which seriously compromises the safety of our personnel and undermines the effectiveness of operations,” Loss said. “Cutting the signal in mining areas, especially on Indigenous lands and in protected areas, is essential because internet access in these locations serves only criminal purposes.”

Jair Schmitt, head of environmental protection for the agency, said what’s also needed is tighter regulation on the sale and use of such equipment.

The emailed James Gleeson, SpaceX’s communications vice president, with inquiries about the agreement, but did not get an immediate reply.