Musk's 'Starlink' Provides Internet Service to the White House... Is the Security Reliable?
White House Says "Reviewed by Office of Legal Counsel"
Elon Musk's SpaceX satellite internet service Starlink is also providing service around the White House.
Yonhap News reported this fact on the 18th, citing the U.S. daily The New York Times (NYT). According to the NYT, the exact installation time of Starlink is unknown. However, since the start of the second Trump administration, Starlink access has become available around the White House and the adjacent Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Starlink has also been installed in recent weeks at the General Services Administration (GSA), which plays a central role in Musk's federal government restructuring efforts, and several federal agencies have signed contracts with Starlink.
To use Starlink service, a rectangular antenna that receives signals transmitted from SpaceX satellites is required. Instead of physically installing antennas at the White House, it is known that the service is received through the White House data center located a few kilometers away.
The White House explained that Starlink donated the service and that it underwent review by the White House Office of Legal Counsel. It added that the existing Wi-Fi system was overloaded. The effort is aimed at improving the existing system, as cellular service is unavailable in some areas.
There are also criticisms that it is difficult to view the Starlink installation as being on the same level as previous conventional internet improvement measures. The NYT pointed out that it is unclear whether internet service is significantly expanded by Starlink at the White House, which is already connected by fiber optic cables. It also stated that it is unclear whether communications using Starlink are encrypted.
Musk operating several companies subject to government regulations or contracts, including Starlink, is also an issue. Ultimately, concerns were raised about conflicts of interest between his role as an advisor and major donor to former President Donald Trump and his business interests.
Claire Martorana, who served as the White House Chief Information Officer during the previous Joe Biden administration, told the media, "Normally, someone cannot just hand over technology to the government," adding, "White House officials need to verify proper security and approve new systems."
Cybersecurity consulting expert Jake Williams said, "This is very rare," and questioned, "I've never heard of such a thing. Bringing in another point of attack?why would you bring in such a risk?"
The NYT pointed out, "Starlink, based on satellite service, is typically intended to provide internet in emergencies or remote areas," and "It is not meant for federal buildings in Washington DC, where there are already sufficient internet options."
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Earlier, Elon Musk, who has been supporting communication services in war-torn Ukraine, stated that he would not block Starlink service. On the 9th (local time), Musk said, "Without Starlink, Russia could disrupt all other communications in Ukraine," and "Ukraine's front lines would completely collapse." He emphasized, "We will not allow that to happen or use (Starlink service) as a bargaining chip."
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