In a concerted effort to combat illegal activities in the Amazon, Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office has entered into a pivotal agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink. This agreement is designed to restrict the misuse of Starlink’s internet services by criminal elements engaging in unlawful mining and other illicit operations within the Amazon rainforest.
Starlink, known for its lightweight and fast internet service, has become widely accessible in the Amazon—a region historically plagued by slow and unreliable internet connectivity. This improved connectivity, however, has been co-opted by criminal networks who utilize it for coordinating logistics, arranging payments, and receiving real-time alerts about police operations.
This marks the first partnership of its nature following extensive lobbying from Brazilian authorities to tackle the use of advanced technology for nefarious purposes. As part of the agreement, Starlink will start demanding identification and proof of residence from prospective users in the Amazon region starting this January. Furthermore, Starlink is expected to provide user registration details and geolocation data to Brazilian authorities for internet units in suspicious areas.
If investigations confirm that a terminal is facilitating unlawful activities, Starlink is committed to suspending the service to that unit. This arrangement is set for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension.
The prevalent issue of illegal gold mining has led to severe contamination of Amazonian rivers with mercury, affecting many Indigenous communities, such as the Yanomami. Since its introduction in 2022, Starlink has inadvertently enabled criminal entities to optimize their mining operations in remote locales where logistics are challenging and transportation hinges on small aircraft or boats.
“The deployment of satellite internet has revolutionized how illegal mining operations are managed. This technological shift requires an equally robust legal framework. Through this agreement, internet connectivity can also facilitate environmental stewardship and uphold national integrity,” stated federal prosecutor André Porreca.
Historically, individuals involved in illegal mining and logging have relied on basic forms of communication, like radio, to escape law enforcement. The introduction of Starlink’s rapid and mobile internet service has significantly enhanced their capabilities, according to Hugo Loss, coordinator for Brazil’s environmental agency.
“They’ve been able to warn of enforcement actions in real-time, directly affecting the safety of our personnel and reducing the success rate of our operations,” Loss elaborated. “Suspending internet services in these isolated mining areas, especially on Indigenous lands and protected spaces, is crucial as internet access there aids only illegal activities.”
Jair Schmitt, director of environmental protection for the agency, emphasized the need for stricter regulations governing the sale and deployment of such technological equipment.
Efforts to reach SpaceX’s management for comments regarding this new collaboration were unsuccessful, as queries sent to communications vice president James Gleeson went unanswered.