In June 2025, Brazil's Federal Prosecutor's Office and Elon Musk's Starlink reached an agreement to prevent the misuse of satellite internet services by criminal organizations in the Amazon rainforest. This initiative aims to curb the use of Starlink's high-speed internet by illegal miners and other criminals operating in the region.
Under the agreement, effective January 2026, all new Starlink users in Brazil's Amazon region will be required to provide identification and proof of residence. Starlink will share user registration and geolocation data with Brazilian authorities for internet units located in areas under investigation. If a terminal is confirmed to be used for illegal activities, Starlink will block the service.
The two-year renewable deal is the first of its kind and responds to the intensifying impact of illegal mining on the environment and Indigenous communities. Authorities emphasize the need for stronger regulation of satellite internet equipment and stress that restricting service in protected and Indigenous territories is vital. The agreement marks a significant step in Brazil's efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the Amazon rainforest.