Starlink May Have To Share Details On ‘Illegal’ Kits Seized

SUMMARY

The information would include disclosing details of users of satellite kits seized in the country, especially in the north eastern region over the past few months

Indian security agencies have pointed out the misuse of Starlink devices in Indian territory, specifically in the border areas

Starlink hasn't been cooperative in sharing details and asked the agencies to put their requests either via the US law enforcement or international protocols

Elon Musk-led Starlink, which recently received a licence from the telecom ministry for providing satellite internet services in India, may have to mandatorily share all the information now which it was unwilling to share earlier.

An ET report said that the information includes details of users of satellite kits seized in the country, especially in the north eastern region over the past few months.

Officials also told the publication that Indian security agencies have pointed out the misuse of Starlink devices in Indian territory, specifically in the border areas.

But the Musk company hasn’t been cooperating in sharing details of those devices. Officials further said Starlink asked the security agencies to put their requests either via the US law enforcement or international protocols.

In March, the Ministry of Home Affairs wrote to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to investigate the matter, as Starlink was not willing to comply with the disclosure requirements and asked the security agencies to request either via the US law enforcement or international protocols, the official added.

Starlink became the third company after Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio to be granted the crucial licence. The next steps for Starlink include obtaining approvals from the Indian space regulator IN-SPACe and securing spectrum allocation before it can begin commercial operations.

The company received a conditional nod from the government in May to operate satellite-based internet services in India.

As per earlier reports, the DoT issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Starlink after it had agreed to 29 stringent security conditions. These conditions included requirements for real-time terminal tracking, local data processing, legal interception capabilities, and localization of at least 20% of Starlink’s ground segment infrastructure within a few years.

The telecommunications department issued a new set of Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) guidelines, which mandate compliance with 29 new security norms to acquire satcom licences, where all satcom operators must create provisions for blocking of websites, collection of metadata, lawful interception facilities, among others.

This also comes at the heart of the Centre prioritising national safeguards by setting up a satcom monitoring facility with an outlay of INR 900 Cr as global satcom players are seeking entry into the Indian market.