Elon Musk’s Starlink Is Keeping Modern Slavery Compounds Online
1 min read
Summary
Human trafficking victims have revealed that the online scam industry is using Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet network, which is supposed to provide internet to places that lack coverage, in its operations, according to internet watchdog Global Anti-Scam Organization (GASO).
Victims claimed that the internet used by the scam industry in Tai Chang, a known scam compound on the Myanmar-Thailand border, was switched from Thailand cell networks to Starlink.
Starlink terminals have been allegedly used in at least eight scam compounds along the Myanmar-Thailand border.
The use of Starlink comes as officials in Thailand, Myanmar, and China have recently attempted to crack down on the scam compounds.
At least 100,000 people are believed to be trapped in scam compounds across Myanmar, with another 100,000 in Cambodia, according to a UN report.
In response to the allegations, a Starlink spokesperson said the company terminates services to users if they participate in fraud activities and that it investigates claims and deactivates terminals if illegal use is confirmed.
