SpaceX will reportedly start cracking down on the "black market" illegally using Starlink's high-speed internet connection to countries that have yet to be authorized.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the US-based aerospace company will be closing down unauthorized connections in Sudan, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Many of the supposed customers of the internet service have reportedly received an email from SpaceX telling them that their connection to the high-speed internet will soon be shut down by the end of the month.
Customers who are illegally using Starlink's mobile connection via roaming data for more than two months will also be affected by the crackdown.
SpaceX or its CEO Elon Musk has yet to respond to WSJ regarding the reports.
SpaceX Starts Taking Steps on Unauthorized Starlink Networks
The crackdown follows earlier reports of other countries, many under US sanctions, able to use Starlink satellites for their military operations.
Most notable were Russian troops currently invading Ukraine and Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, a militant group the US has accused of terrorist acts.
US lawmakers have earlier called for an investigation on the alleged use of US technology on US-sanctioned countries, especially because of rumors that Russia is using the satellite connection for surveillance operations.
As of writing, only 72 countries have authorized the use of Starlink satellites to boost their internet connections.
Why Did it Take Long for SpaceX to Respond?
The issue of illegal Starlink connections has been going on for quite a while to the point that the affected countries' governments have issued warnings to people not to use the unauthorized service.
Sudan's official government has reportedly even tried to reach out to SpaceX to urge a response on the issue.
According to WSJ, Musk has expressed "limited concern" on the growing black market around his company's flagship satellite, deeming the whole affair would not cause any regulatory issues.
Musk has yet to indicate any intentions to expand the reach of the company's Starlink services to the affected countries.
It is worth noting that many citizens in Africa rely heavily on the much cheaper internet access via the illegal Starlink connection than the expensive but still slow internet connection legally offered in their countries.
Related Article : Internet Price Hikes Inevitable as Broadband Subsidy Runs Out, FCC Says
