US administrations asked Musk to switch Starlink on or off in multiple countries: Report
Biden and Trump governments sought SpaceX's help for internet access in Iran and military communications in Ukraine
US administrations, under both former President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump, have repeatedly asked SpaceX's Elon Musk to activate or restrict the Starlink satellite internet service in various countries, according to a Reuters report citing six former senior US officials. These requests, which include disabling Starlink to prevent Iran-backed militias in Yemen and Lebanon from using the service and activating it to provide internet access in Iran and Ukraine, highlight Washington's growing reliance on private technology companies to implement foreign policy objectives.
The recent restrictions on Ukraine's access to SpaceX satellite services have renewed concerns about the relationship between the US government and Musk, whose company operates satellite communication systems considered crucial to the US military and its allies.
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