According to a report by Haaretz published on May 12, 2026, two Israeli companies have developed technology capable of locating Starlink satellite terminals. The report claims these companies can identify the physical location of Starlink users, potentially exposing them to surveillance or targeting.
Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has been used by Ukraine to maintain internet connectivity during the war with Russia, and by protesters in Iran to bypass government-imposed internet blackouts. The ability to locate terminals could compromise the safety of users in these conflict zones.
Haaretz did not name the specific companies or provide technical details of the location method. The report raises significant privacy and security concerns, as Starlink terminals are often used by individuals and groups in sensitive situations where anonymity is critical.
SpaceX has not yet commented on the report. The company has previously stated that Starlink terminals are designed to be secure and that user data is protected. However, the potential for third-party location tracking could undermine these assurances.
