Starlink
We have all heard of Starlink. It is a megaconstellation of communication satellites in low Earth orbit, networked to provide internet connectivity to users on the surface. With little reliance on ground infrastructure, this technology shines where terrestrial broadband and terrestrial phone networks fail. And in a world that increasingly relies on constant, highly reliable connectivity for critical applications, Starlink offers solid redundancy from the sky that nothing on the ground can match. I have written about how this technology functions, if you want to gain detailed context:
Risks for India
Starlink is about to begin operations in India. With its large continental landmass and varied geography, India is an ideal candidate for benefiting from this technology. At this point, my colleagues and I felt that it was worthwhile highlighting the very real risks that India has to weigh alongside the benefits as it prepares to embrace Starlink.
I continue to be a believer in global markets and technology access. At the same time, I also feel that a country should be able to wield sufficient control over the flow of information in order to maintain a favourable balance of power. There are various aspects to this information control, but internet connectivity is a major pillar. I do not argue for this so as to enable a surveillance state. Political institutions should safeguard individual privacy, and that is a separate problem to solve. I argue for this from a strategic and tactical perspective.
Wholesale adoption of Starlink will allow SpaceX to leverage the dependence in ways that are contrary to the interests of Indians. The risks stem from the sheer scale of the moat that Starlink enjoys. As an individual exercising significant control in a private corporation, Elon Musk’s erratic personality and behaviour add a risky degree of unpredictability. He seems to wield influence over the US government, which also hints at the US government’s influence over him.
The existing mechanisms India has in place to safeguard against the data security risks from Starlink are woefully inadequate since they are difficult to enforce. The core risks persist.
Ultimately, India should continue to improve connectivity infrastructure and diversify satellite internet vendors to reduce overexposure.