[Starlink] Re: Starlink and user identification especially wrt the Islamic Republic of Iran

[David Lang <david@lang.hm>]

by the way, there was a more in-depth discussion on the issues a couple months 
ago when the protests started there.

David Lang

On Mon, 16 Mar 2026, David Lang via Starlink wrote:

> Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:11:08 -0700 (MST)
> From: David Lang via Starlink <starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net>
> Reply-To: David Lang <david@lang.hm>
> To: Inemesit Affia <inemesitaffia@gmail.com>
> Cc: Dave Taht via Starlink <starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net>
> Subject: [Starlink] Re: Starlink and user identification especially wrt the
>     Islamic Republic of Iran
> 
> Starlink, like every other wifi manufacturer is allocated specific addresses 
> to avoid collisions in the addresses in use. Any new addresses they get 
> allocated will be well known very quickly. What is it you suggest that they 
> do?
>
> but as a matter of common sense, if you are hiding something from your 
> government, hard-wire where possible, don't use wifi at all.
>
> David Lang
>
>
> On Mon, 16 Mar 2026, Inemesit Affia via Starlink wrote:
>
>> Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:25:21 +0100
>> From: Inemesit Affia via Starlink <starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net>
>> Reply-To: Inemesit Affia <inemesitaffia@gmail.com>
>> To: Dave Taht via Starlink <starlink@lists.bufferbloat.net>
>> Subject: [Starlink] Re: Starlink and user identification especially wrt the
>>     Islamic Republic of Iran
>> 
>> By fixable, I mean fixable by SpaceX, not the end user. I realize not 
>> everyone has the extra equipment i do. So going straight to "use third 
>> party routers" is a non
>> 
>> Mar 16, 2026 4:18:57 PM Inemesit Affia <inemesitaffia@gmail.com>:
>> 
>>> I've dropped some comments in the past on other fora but not here.
>>> 
>>> There's a recent issue with user outages in Iran caused by an update. 
>>> There are individuals with multiple terminals where one is down and the 
>>> other up.
>>> 
>>> Users should avoid using devices with local apps installed. Avoid Chinese 
>>> devices if possible (both are telemetry issues)
>>> 
>>> Starlink has RF and heat issues that make it easily identified with the 
>>> right equipment so you need to hide the device and avoid WiFi transmission 
>>> (where possible).
>>> 
>>> A piece of plain cloth is enough to hide the heat signature in most cases, 
>>> especially during the day. But what I've been hearing is Wi-Fi scanners 
>>> being deployed. Unfortunately Starlink ships not only with a default 
>>> Starlink name, but like every other WiFi device, identifies it's 
>>> manufacturer in its transmission which you don't need more than a phone to 
>>> find.
>>> 
>>> Fortunately that's fixable for the less tech savvy users. If the device 
>>> identifies it's cell as being in Iran, change the mac one to one mimicking 
>>> the device of the user or AP's more common in the area. And allow users to 
>>> limit it's power like I can do on my cheap D-link
>>> 
>>> I'm hopeful for those in the area and I'm glad about the recent shutdown 
>>> of Russian users in Ukraine.
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