Elon Musk's Starlink is under fresh regulatory scrutiny in India after its satellite communications (satcom) devices were discovered from drug smugglers, after they were seized from insurgents, The Times of India reports.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has raised concerns about these illegal communication channels and requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to act promptly. Starlink has declined to share details of device ownership, citing data privacy laws, complicating government investigations.

Drug smugglers were found to be using Starlink for navigation, when there were caught during a methamphetamine haul in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently. Earlier, they were seized along with arms and ammunition from insurgents in Manipur.

Starlink denies its services are operational in India, but officials are seeking further security assurances before approving the company’s pending licence application.

Share this article
The link has been copied!