Elon Musk wants to bypass internet censorship in Iran
Elon Musk wants to activate his Starlink satellite internet service in Iran. The SpaceX CEO is responding to a statement by the US Treasury Department that it wants to promote internet freedom in the country. The US government wants to support Musk in his project.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wants his Activate Starlink satellites in Iran. Previously, the US Treasury Department in a tweet states that it wants to promote Internet freedom and the free flow of information for the Iranian people.
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Iranian internet services restricted amid protests
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a general license to enable better digital communication. This should enable the Iranian population to counteract the state government’s censorship.
The death of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini triggered violent ongoing protests in the country, during which hundreds of demonstrators have already been arrested. In this context, the Iranian government Access to social networks Instagram and WhatsApp heavily restricted.
Can Musk just activate Starlink?
The US issued the general license to expand internet services in Iran despite US sanctions against the country. Still, it’s unclear whether Elon Musk can readily activate his Starlink satellites, according to a Treasury Department official.
Our understanding of Starlink is that what they make available is commercial in nature and is hardware not covered by the General License.
However, the updated license is self-executing, the US State Department said. Anyone who meets the relevant criteria can continue with their activities without applying for additional permits.
Starlink: US government supports Musk
A US State Department spokesman said SpaceX must now determine whether it needs a special license for its Internet service in Iran. Should that be the case, however, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) wants to give Musk preferential treatment and support him.
However, if SpaceX finds that its activities are already approved and has questions, OFAC welcomes that commitment as well.
With the satellites of his space company SpaxeX, Musk is already supporting Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invasion.
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