US administrations sought control over Starlink access
Former officials say the Biden and Trump administrations repeatedly asked SpaceX to activate or restrict satellite internet services in conflict zones, raising questions about private companies’ influence over foreign policy.
The US administrations of Joe Biden and Donald Trump repeatedly asked Elon Musk’s SpaceX to switch its Starlink satellite internet service on or off in different countries, according to six former senior US officials cited by Reuters. The disclosures highlight the growing role of privately owned satellite networks in military operations, geopolitical strategy and internet access during political crises.
According to the officials, the Biden administration sought restrictions on Starlink terminals allegedly used by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Officials shared intelligence with SpaceX about terminals believed to have reached the groups through intermediaries. In some cases, the company deactivated terminals after requests from the administration, the sources told Reuters.
The Biden administration also sought to expand Starlink access in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The service became an important communications tool for Ukrainian forces, supporting frontline coordination and military operations. Its strategic importance has since exposed Ukraine to the risks associated with dependence on a privately controlled network.
The Trump administration reportedly pursued a different but related objective in Iran. A former senior Trump official and another person familiar with the discussions told Reuters that the administration considered activating Starlink after US-Israeli strikes in June 2025 and February 2026, hoping to improve internet access and communications for anti-government protesters. Neither the administration nor SpaceX has publicly confirmed that the terminals were activated.
The disclosures come amid renewed scrutiny of Starlink’s role in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said access to Starshield, the military version of the satellite system, had been intentionally restricted, affecting the performance of Ukrainian drones. Reuters previously reported that an order to throttle Starshield came from within the White House. The Trump administration acknowledged the slowdown but did not publicly confirm that it had issued the order.
Musk has disputed the idea that he independently determines Starshield restrictions, saying the system is owned and controlled by the US government and that decisions on speed and usage ultimately rest with the US military and the president. The White House referred Reuters to President Trump’s remarks that he had not discussed Ukraine’s access issues with Musk and would address any problem.
The case illustrates a broader policy dilemma: governments increasingly depend on private technology companies for services that have become strategically important to national security. Starlink’s extensive satellite infrastructure can provide connectivity where conventional networks are damaged, unavailable or restricted. Yet the ability to alter access can also give a company considerable influence over the practical options available to governments and armed forces.
That dependence has prompted concern among US lawmakers and European officials. Democratic Representative Jason Crow called for greater clarity about the changes affecting Ukraine, warning against allowing unelected business leaders to determine national security interests. Some European officials have also argued that Europe needs to develop its own military satellite communications capabilities, although building a comparable system would take time and substantial investment.
The reported requests also show that access decisions are not simply commercial matters. Restricting connectivity may help governments prevent adversaries from using satellite terminals, while activating it can support communications during protests or conflict. Both actions raise questions about oversight, accountability, legal authority and the extent to which private infrastructure should be used to implement foreign policy.
The central issue is therefore not only Musk’s influence but also the absence of a readily available alternative to Starlink in some critical settings. Until governments develop more diversified and resilient communications systems, military and diplomatic operations may remain exposed to decisions involving a small number of private providers.
Sources: Reuters: US administrations asked Musk to alter Starlink service, WSAU: Reuters report, Reuters: Starshield restrictions in Ukraine.
