Discover-Tech targeted Starlink users for surveillance, report says

by@Reuters

Summary

Experts from TrendAI have reported that the Israeli ad tech company Discover-Tech has been heavily targeting users of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, potentially in an effort to spy on them. Discover-Tech emerged as the leading bidder for Starlink traffic in over 100 countries, including regions where the service is restricted, raising concerns that their ads may be used for geolocation and surveillance purposes. This follows investigations by Canadian cyber watchdog Citizen Lab and New York firm Confiant, which revealed that Discover-Tech had abused the ad bidding process to collect and de-anonymize user data. The findings highlight a growing trend among governments to track satellite internet users as the technology enables communication in restricted and conflict-affected areas. Following these revelations, major ad platforms like Google and Comcast have removed Discover-Tech from their services.

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$SPCX

Analysis

SpaceX: SpaceX operates the Starlink satellite internet service that routes data through its satellites rather than traditional telecom providers. The company is central to the story as researchers identified its users as the primary targets of the alleged surveillance campaign via ad placements. SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment on the findings. TrendAI: TrendAI is a digital defense and cybersecurity research unit focused on analyzing advertising telemetry and threat patterns. It produced an October 15 report identifying suspicious ad-bidding activity aimed at Starlink users and assigned the codename Shadow-Earth-79 to the responsible party later identified as Discover-Tech. The unit drew conclusions from its telemetry data across numerous countries. Trend Micro: Trend Micro is a Tokyo-based cybersecurity company that owns the TrendAI research unit. Its researchers used company telemetry to uncover the ad-targeting activity against Starlink users and contributed to the broader investigation into the Israeli firm. Discover-Tech: Discover-Tech is an Israeli ad tech company that participates in digital advertising auctions. It is the focus of the current reporting for its alleged heavy targeting of Starlink users through ads likely intended for geolocation or surveillance. The firm is also under broader scrutiny for spying on internet users via similar ad-bidding tactics. Industry Response: Major ad platforms including Google and Comcast removed Discover-Tech following separate investigations by Citizen Lab and Confiant into its ad-bidding practices. Ad Data Exploitation: Bidders in digital ad auctions can collect leaked data about internet users to de-anonymize them, track their activity across sites, and enable further surveillance. Starlink Tracking Efforts: Governments worldwide are seeking methods to identify and monitor Starlink terminals because the service bypasses national telecom controls and supports communications in restricted or conflict areas.

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