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Researchers Uncover Signs of Massive Surveillance Operation on Starlink Users

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By ictsec.pl
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Researchers Uncover Signs of Massive Surveillance Operation on Starlink Users

🚨 A recent report reveals alarming findings about a massive surveillance operation targeting Starlink users! Discover-Tech, an Israeli advertising firm previously linked to zero-click spyware, has emerged as the top bidder for Starlink ad impressions across 105 countries. 📊

According to John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, data from TrendAI indicates a worldwide surveillance operation aimed at Starlink users. This is particularly concerning given that Discover-Tech was previously identified as the buyer of ads that delivered Candiru spyware to devices at Al Jazeera without any user interaction. 🔍

Key Findings:

  • Candiru Spyware: This Israeli mercenary spyware vendor has developed tools capable of silently compromising phones and computers. Citizen Lab’s report confirmed the first public technical evidence of zero-click mercenary spyware delivered through targeted advertising.
  • Infection Rates: At least 45 devices at Al Jazeera were infected with Candiru spyware in 2024 and 2025, with Discover-Tech spending around $109,000 during this period without any recorded conversions, suggesting non-commercial motives.
  • Ad Bidding Patterns: TrendAI’s analysis revealed that Discover-Tech, codenamed SHADOW-EARTH-79, was the leading bidder for ad impressions on Starlink traffic, accounting for approximately 12.9% of winning advertisements. This was notably higher in countries like Argentina (91.3%) and the Philippines (89.1%).

The findings raise serious concerns about the potential for geolocation and surveillance of Starlink users, particularly in regions where legitimate Western advertising is scarce. The combination of spyware delivery and anomalous bidding patterns places Discover-Tech at the center of this troubling investigation.

For more details, check out the full article here: Read full article

Stay informed and vigilant! 🚀

RESEARCH
SURVEILLANCE STARLINK ADVERTISING SPYWARE TECHNOLOGY
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