Brazil Strikes Landmark Deal with Starlink to Combat Amazon Crime
Taarek Refaat
Brazil's federal prosecutor's office has reached a groundbreaking agreement with Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk, to curb the use of its services in illegal activities across the Amazon rainforest, where high-speed connectivity has become a tool for organized crime.
The deal, announced Friday, aims to limit the use of Starlink's low-latency, high-bandwidth internet by criminal groups involved in illegal mining, deforestation, and drug trafficking. Authorities have long expressed concerns that the technology, while improving connectivity in remote regions, has also enabled criminals to coordinate logistics, process payments, and evade law enforcement.
'This is the first agreement of its kind after years of pressure from Brazilian authorities,' said a spokesperson from the Federal Public Ministry, as reported by the Associated Press.
New Identity and Location Rules
Beginning January 2026, Starlink will require all new users in the Brazilian Amazon to submit official identification and proof of residence before activating the service. In addition, the company will provide Brazilian authorities with user registration data and the geolocation of terminals operating in regions under investigation.
Should authorities confirm that a terminal is being used for unlawful purposes, Starlink has pledged to block access for those users. The agreement is valid for two years, with an option for renewal.
Tech in the Jungle: Double-Edged Sword
Since its deployment in the region, Starlink's lightweight terminals have rapidly spread through vast and previously disconnected parts of the Amazon. While the service has proven beneficial to remote communities, environmental groups and law enforcement officials have warned that illegal gold miners and drug networks are exploiting the technology to strengthen their operations deep inside the rainforest.
The move comes amid mounting global scrutiny over environmental degradation in the Amazon and the role of emerging technologies in enabling ecological and legal violations.
Starlink, a division of SpaceX, has expanded rapidly across Latin America, with Brazil becoming one of its largest user bases. The deal marks a significant step toward tech-sector accountability and may serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.
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