US lawmakers are now scrutinizing the claims that SpaceX's Starlink service is being used in Russia. This effort came after Ukraine accused SpaceX of allowing Russian entities to use its internet satellite terminals.
House Democrats Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia recently sent a letter to Elon Musk and his rocket company to demand transparency regarding the possible Starlink purchases and usage in Russia. They wanted to know how the company was preventing the use of Starlink in Russia.
SpaceX Starlink Use in Russia Scrutinized by Lawmakers
According to Business Insider, the two lawmakers highlighted the value of Starlink for Ukrainians in their fight against Russia's invasion operation.
"Starlink is an invaluable resource for Ukrainians in their fight against Russia's brutal and illegitimate invasion," the lawmakers said in a press release.
"It is alarming that Russia may be obtaining and using your technology to coordinate attacks against Ukrainian troops in illegally occupied regions in Eastern and Southern Ukraine," they added.
Garcia and Raskin further noted that if Ukraine's claims of "systemic" use of Starlink terminals in Russia are true, then SpaceX is "potentially in violation of US sanctions and export controls."
US Lawmakers Reject Elon Musk's Remarks Defending SpaceX
Elon Musk has consistently denied that Russians are using Starlink. The SpaceX CEO has said that to "the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia." However, Raskin and Garcia echoed Ukraine's claims about Russian forces' procurement and use of Starlink terminals.
The two lawmakers noted, "We are concerned that you do not have appropriate guardrails and policies in place to ensure your technology is neither acquired nor used illegally by Russia."
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