Elon Musk Says Starlink Services Will Not Block Media, News from Russia "Unless at Gunpoint"

SpaceX boss Elon Musk said that the firm would not take part in blocking Russian media on Starlink internet despite the efforts of other governments.

Elon Musk explained in a tweet yesterday that Starlink was reached out by other concerned governments on the request to block the media and news outlets coming from Russia.

The SpaceX CEO emphasized that they will not adhere to the petition "unless at gunpoint."

Russian Media: Free Speech?

(Photo : JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
OPSHOT - Elon Musk pauses and looks down as he speaks during a press conference at SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Village in South Texas on February 10, 2022. - Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk delivered an eagerly-awaited update on SpaceX's Starship, a prototype rocket the company is developing for crewed interplanetary exploration.

Starlink's situation was induced by the recent call for the Russian media shutdown of many governments that support Ukraine against the invasion of the country. The action serves as a widespread protest against Russia following the continuous deployment of the country's military to Ukraine.

Starlink has been told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources. We will not do so unless at gunpoint.

Sorry to be a free speech absolutist.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2022

Among the countries that blocked news sources from Russia is the United States. Alongside the government bodies, large tech companies such as Microsoft and Google laid out systems that would cut-off media outlets from the aggressor. The targeted broadcasts to be barred from the internet and airwaves are the state-run networks of Russia as well as Sputnik, Newsweek reports. Excluding Ukraine, Elon Musk did not drop any names and governments that approached Starlink and SpaceX regarding the massive protest. According to the CEO, the reason behind his decline is that he is a "free speech absolutist." SpaceX's Starlink services are actively utilized in the country of Ukraine. Recently, the firm shipped a number of equipment such as terminals and antennas to the territory as part of maintenance and restoration of their internet and communication infrastructures. Elon Musk's machine relief was received by Ukraine last Monday, February 28.

ALSO READ: Elon Musk's Neuralink, UC Davis Face Allegations on Animal Abuse for Using Monkeys in Test

Elon Musk on Russian Invasion

Starlink is currently among the few internet service providers that have a megaconstellation of satellites up in orbit. The company developed the cluster to be the first service that provides high-speed and low-latency broadband connection globally, even in the most remote places that are unreachable by signals of traditional providers. Since 2019, Starlink launched over 2,000 satellites, forming the largest group of internet satellites in space.

🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 Hold Strong Ukraine 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2022

Although the billionaire refused to join the movement against Russian news and media, Elon Musk already published a tweet regarding his support for Ukraine.

Elon Musk explained this weekend that SpaceX is developing steps to enhance Starlink's cyber security, as some of their instruments that cater to Ukraine were reportedly jammed amidst the invasion. The incident ran for hours before being brought back online.

Elon Musk also advised Ukrainian Starlink users to take precautionary options while using the services to prevent Russian forces from taking an interest in their internet and communication activities.

"Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution," Elon Musk said.

Ukraine Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reached out to Elon Musk last week for further support of Starlink services. The billionaire responded that additional projects are on the work, and terminals are already shipped to the country, Reuters reports.

The broadband connection in the country has been affected since the Russian invasion started. Major areas with impacted internet are the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine.