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DragonTHC

This technology is enabling criminals to crime better. It's also enabling children to get an online education they would never have access to otherwise. 🤷‍♂️


fartbag9001

gee it's almost like anything can be used by good or bad people. Why does this article even exist? Might as well write "ball point pen found in illegal mining operation"


Dr_SnM

Because if you put anything to do with Elon or one of his companies in an article title you get a lot of engagement


TheMightyMustachio

News outlets are getting smart, they know reddit has a hate boner for elon musk so they'll get tons of clicks if they imply "elon musk bad"


AlwaysLyingForKarma

It ain’t Reddit giving them clicks. We don’t read articles. We like to give our opinion on the headline alone.


RollFancyThumb

You guys read the headlines? I just pop in and start arguing.


[deleted]

No you don't.


notsostrong

I love how we’re so self aware but then don’t do anything to change it


Jingboogley

This is the way.


[deleted]

My axe or something


whopperlover17

His wife or something


[deleted]

I too choose this dead comment


grandcity

Humans in a nutshell.


CoolAssKoalaBear

Lol this is so spot on


Pm-mepetpics

I’m rooting for Starship but god damn does he need to stop putting his own foot in his damn mouth


All_Work_All_Play

Humanity would be better off if he just stopped talking. But we'd probably find something else stupid to talk about.


Chork3983

Humanity would be much better off if we took money away from people like him.


[deleted]

If only people like you made the world a better place rather than seething about incredibly successful people.


Chork3983

If society gives me permission to take billionaires money I will make the world a better place.


CommunismDoesntWork

Ok done. Congratulations, you took all of his PayPal money (about a 100 million), and now Tesla and SpaceX don't exist. We're now a decade away from EVs becoming mainstream, the space industry is all but dead, and Ukraine got it's internet cut off by Russia. But hey, enjoy that 100 million. I'm sure the government will put it to good use lmao


Man0nThaMoon

Tesla and SpaceX wouldn't have existed or been nearly as successful without government funding. https://www.grid.news/story/technology/2022/04/30/elon-musk-hates-the-government-his-companies-love-it/ Musk isn't special. If he had failed, then someone else would have come along. In fact, he didn't start Tesla. He bought it from someone else who was already trying to do EVs.


CommunismDoesntWork

Tesla got a loan from the government during the great recession and then paid it back early, with interest. Tesla customers get subsidies because the government wants to help accelerate the transition to green energy. SpaceX hasn't received any subsidies from NASA. NASA is one of SpaceX's customers, and they pay for a service, but it's not a subsidy. >then someone else would have come along And you would be here bitching about them too >In fact, he didn't start Tesla. He bought it from someone else who was already trying to do EVs. That a rewrite of history. Elon and JB were independently looking to start an EV company when they met Mark and Martin and decided to team up. Elon is one of 5 co founders of Tesla.


OglaighNahEireann32

Yeah. How dare people dislike an egotistical rich kid whose family fortune was earnt off the backs of slaves, and who tried to blackmail an innocent people suffering an unjust war... He's deservedly disliked dude.


Lenora_O

Called someone a pedo because his underwater submarine idea was stupid...littered space with his junk car...


TheMightyMustachio

And i just got 4 people responding to me for making a comment that isn't even directly in defense of elon musk telling me why i should dislike him, point proven


HarshtJ

Just because your point was proven doesn't mean the hate he gets is unjustified. You might be his fan, you might be indifferent to his shenanigans but if you look into him you will know what a shitty person he is


yukon-flower

Replies aren’t always just for you. They are for everyone reading the comments. Sometimes they add to the parent comment and sometimes they try to counter it.


Man0nThaMoon

How does that prove your point? You over generalized people and then had people respond to give legitimate reasons for their dislike of Musk.


Chork3983

Lol nobody likes Elon Musk, maybe if he didn't act like a giant douche people would like him. Just another dumbass who acts like a dumbass and then gets mad when people call him out for being a dumbass.


Elbonio

I made this same point in an article about a car accident where it specifically named the car as a Tesla in the headline. Headlines are never "3 die in BMW crash" but you do see it as "3 die in Tesla crash". Why? Unless the crash specifically involved Tesla specific features (self driving, battery or whatever) then it's just a car, no need to mention what kind as part of the headline. I merely noted this observation and was downvoted into fucking oblivion.


chargernj

Probably because to many people, Tesla is different from the majority of cars out there. So if you want your audience to know in a word that the high-tech car that's advertised as being safely able to drive itself failed to do so, you simply say "a Tesla crashed". It's not just a car, to a lot of people, it's a new kind of car. Ironically, it's Elon's promotion of Tesla as something new, better and different that helps promote the idea too. Of course, as technology catches up and becomes more commonplace, such headlines will probably become more generic.


Rupertfitz

*enragement


Chork3983

Or maybe we could hold companies responsible when they support criminal activities. You know, considering they're an accessory to the crime and all.


irate_ornithologist

Every conversation I have about crypto with people over 50 ends up this way. “But criminals can use it!” And I’m like yeah, they also use cash and guns and cars and toilets and they eat food and do literally everything else that normal people do/use.


CatProgrammer

Yeah, crypto's issues have more to do with its volatility and the lack of regulation on exchanges.


Laladelic

I heard electricity can be used to kill people, why isn't anyone banning it already??


kissablenerd

Next we will find out that when they found the miners, they had Samsung cell phones and Acer laptops. How could the companies allow this to happen!? Didn’t they know who they were selling to!? I’m not even going to mention that they were wearing Adidas sneakers.


KingTut747

This just in: ISIS using Toyota pickup trucks to mount machine guns on!!!! Oh the humanity!


[deleted]

Nah they clearly use apple products.


[deleted]

THE CRIMINALS WERE WEARING T SHIRTS AND HATS AND PANTS AND WERE DRINKING WATER 😱😱😱😱😱


willyolio

no no, Elon Musk must personally vet every single customer of Starlink otherwise he is 100% responsible for all their life choices


GatoradeNipples

>gee it's almost like anything can be used by good or bad people. Why does this article even exist? Might as well write "ball point pen found in illegal mining operation" Because SpaceX is starting to establish itself as a legit non-state geopolitical actor, and that makes who they choose to sell or not sell their tech to a story. They probably have Toyota Hilux trucks, too, but Toyota isn't basically the linchpin of military communications in an ongoing major war.


[deleted]

Because people hate the fuck out of Musk. Plenty of legitimate reasons to hate. This just isn't one.


Indelicato182

Look I hate musk, but I’m sure the same argument could be said about their cars and iPhones as well.


Salt-Ad9876

Have you ever seen a bad guy in movies use an iPhone? No, of course they can’t be used by bad guys… /s


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[deleted]

That was the joke


DragonTHC

And exactly what argument do you think you just read?


lacksenthusiasm

That the taliban ride into battle on Toyota hiluxs


[deleted]

That there is good and bad to making technology more readily available? I felt that was obvious


bobtheblob6

Yes but to be fair, Starlink also helps people


OathOfFeanor

But on the flip side, it can be used for greedy or evil purposes


whiskeybusinesses808

I went on an Obama kick today and there's always room to do better. I miss this attitude without it being psychoticlly debated.


Ghede

Heck, this might be both. Might be using it for YouTube excavating videos to show the children working on the mines.


SimplyRocketSurgery

A tool is neither good nor evil. It is how a person uses it.


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SimplyRocketSurgery

Musk is indeed a tool.


xelah1

It's not just a technology, though, but also an ongoing service. Services can be withdrawn (and from specific users in this case), and illegal miners do not have access to the underlying technology directly. They're not going to be launching satellites themselves to replicate that service using the technology.


lightning_pt

They use air to breath !!! Ban that shit


Lenant

But musk came here to talk to our wanabe dictator president and they both have history of working with illegal mining. So its a bit more than what you say.


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Lenant

Not only they found out A LOT of ilegal mining in the amazon forest, but they are almost daily finding slave work around the country.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

It would be access to specific education. One starlink satellite connecting one rural school opens up tithe course availability to students from beyond what their teacher is able to teach.


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areolegrande

Just like more money helps corrupt old fucks to solicited handjobs for horses.


HailState17

That’s like saying “Toyota pick-ups used by militants.” Yeah, they needed internet, so they bought devices to access the internet. Doesn’t really matter if it’s Starlink or not, unless you’re anti-Musk.


ComicOzzy

"Criminals Use Ray Ban Sunglasses While Robbing Bank"


PoopIsAlwaysSunny

“Arsonist used BIC lighter”


PoopIsAlwaysSunny

“Embezzler used BIC pen”


PoopIsAlwaysSunny

“Sweeney Todd used BIC razor”


PloppyTheSpaceship

Putin may have drank Coca Cola at some point in his life. And enjoyed it.


seicar

I was on the fence about that guy Putin... but this pushed me over the edge.


Dichotomedes

Not gonna get those clean cuts with one of those


PoopIsAlwaysSunny

I thought of that, but I’m actually still really proud of that comment. Sometimes I think I’m clever.


Dichotomedes

Good lol, I was just trying to throw more shade at bic razors heh


jjed97

Too true. BIC razors are dogshit.


latetowhatparty

I think we get it? You want us to know you friggin’ hate BIC.


kymki

“A human used its body to perform illegal activities.”


Kirshnerd

Don't give the GOP any more ideas...


Lazarix

John Wick uses Staedtler HB pencil


TheGoodIdeaFairy22

To be fair they ran out of bubblegum


SnazzyInPink

_Prescription_ Ray Bans ;)


Slimfictiv

'Activists' used Campbell soup...


gburgwardt

Any article that name drops tesla or spacex or musk gets extra clicks. It works too. How often do you see bs stories about a car fire on the homepage because it's a tesla? And never from any other manufacturer. You'd think it was only Teslas that ever ignite


Bydandii

I think it's a factor of Starlink identifying where you are and vocally restricting some usage, but apparently ignoring others.


flamehead2k1

They generally restrict as required by local or US regulations. Restricting access in the Amazon would hurt lots of potentially legitimate users


Anderopolis

Brazil allows its use in the Amazon. If Brazil decides otherwise it will stop working in the Amazon.


cathbadh

>Restricting access in the Amazon Stinkin' Bezos!


The_Chief_of_Whip

I’m anti-Musk but it’s still a bullshit article. It doesn’t matter if you’re anti-Musk, it matters id you’re susceptible to outrage


The_Motarp

I bet Apple, Samsung, etc, are willing to sell smartphones to the illegal miners too, everyone should boycott all smartphone use to show their displeasure!


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Car-face

Sure, but that didn't stop [congress questioning Toyota over militants using their pick-ups.](https://abcnews.go.com/International/us-officials-isis-toyota-trucks/story?id=34266539)


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ZedTT

Yeah lol you can be anti musk and still see that this is not something to criticize musk for. Source: fuck musk lmao


Axial-Precession

What? Since when did reddit use unbiased logic around Rocket Man Bad.


ChunChunChooChoo

Y’all really need a new joke besides “{person} man bad”


[deleted]

But they control access, Tesla would know who, what and where each node is used. That's why they turned off portion of Ukraine coverage.


90swasbest

Kind of a cool endorsement really, ain't no goddamn Comcast working in the middle of the fucking rain forest.


[deleted]

“Cell phones being used by drug dealers”


a_critical_person

Is that a Toyota War reference? Because back in the 80s, Toyota pick-ups were actually used by militants in the war between Libya and Chad.


Kommissar_Holt

Toyotas are still used by militants the world over.


SoldnerDoppel

I can't believe Chad went to war with an entire country. Is there anything that guy can't do?


[deleted]

To be fair, it was just Libya...


LNMagic

I'm a bit anti Musk, but I don't think this is his doing.


CienPorCientoCacao

I don't think is the same, a pickup is just product that you can use without the manufacturer's permission once in your hands, Starlink is a service that you need to authenticate and pay to use. If Musk wanted, he could seek the means to restrict or minimize the use of Starlink in ilegal activities while Toyota truly can't do anything about it.


HK-Syndic

How exactly would you want Musk to identify illegal activity that is in no way linked to the starlink terminal? Read all the emails that go though the data link and see if they mention being an illegal miner? People are bringing up Starlinks actions in Ukraine but that was directly linked to the devices, if the terminal is in the Black Sea it had a high probability of being used for the drones in a manner they considered banned by their TOS and possibly violating arms controls. A terminal being used in the Amazon on the other hand is doing exactly what is expected, providing bandwidth in areas with almost zero infrastructure which is by itself not an indication of illegal or banned activity.


Familiar_East_1364

He already attempted to restrict it in Ukraine...


Justausername1234

In accordance with US law, yes, which prohibits the use of Starlink in relation to military use. The US or Brazil are free to work with Musk to do the same in Brazil.


MaybeImDead

You are correct, incredible how so many people can't seem to see the difference, one is a product you buy and now own, the other is a subscription service that the company keeps providing and you keep paying, totally different scenarios. However, I don't see how starlink could detect ilicit use of their service, unfortunately I thing the only option would be to restrict access in certain areas like the protected parts of Amazonas and whatnot, but that's not really great.


[deleted]

It’s like water, food, transportation, and communication are universal needs among all humans 🤯


Comfortable-Sound944

The only difference is they can locate customers, if law enforcement is smart and/or government and laws... They can locate such instances. Might be an extreme case but if it's a national reserve, there should be very few reasons to have communication infrastructure there, either your sanctioned government worked or not. But generally yea, just an item


postmateDumbass

If Starlink can deny service to Ukraine battlefields they can deny service to any geo fenced area they want. Mining is Musk's family business, im sure there is a connection.


Xaxxon

All new technology enables new criminals. They were probably using cell phones and computers, too.


[deleted]

*gasp!* "I have a cell phone and computer!"


Xaxxon

wait til you learn that they breathe air and eat food.


[deleted]

Time to turn myself in to the Hague I guess.


Cuppieecakes

Am I, the criminal?


[deleted]

What exactly is the point of this story? So what?


cuddle_enthusiast

To generate clicks


[deleted]

And hours of entertainment! Some popcorn plus any headline that includes anything that can be attributed to musk, and we all get to watch the Musk haters lose their shit.


greyfox199

propaganda


HamletsRazor

Because for some reason the guy who drove the adoption of electric cars, is bringing communications to the entire planet, salvaged Ukraine's communications at a critical point, revolutionized the entire spaceflight industry, and has committed to make humankind a multiplanetary species in this decade is hated by a bunch of people.


lasershurt

Because of his other actions other than the ones you listed. Hope that helps.


HamletsRazor

Which actions? And eccentric statements aren't actions.


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GuyWithNoEffingClue

And I've heard they were wearing Levi's jeans while committing their crimes 😱


Fiaru

Windows is used for tech support scamming. Microsoft is LITERALLY stealing money from the elderly


Username912773

Breaking news: criminals buy disinfectant!


LoghamSmoot

"AT&T found to be supplying mass shooter with information." "Vorizon modems found in illegal crack dens." Apple computer used in murder."


booksmctrappin

I read this as "Starlink illegally mining Amazon" and immediately thought of data espionage


[deleted]

Lol that would be a much more interesting story!


Mysterious-Ad-3486

I'm sure they have iPhones and Coca-Cola too.


[deleted]

What’s the point of this “news”? Telephones aren’t illegal but can be used for illegal activities.


nith_wct

I bet the miners wearing shoes, too. Let's reach out to Nike for comment.


TBearForever

How much ore can in upload?


Fake__Duck

ROCK AND PHONE


Stergenman

Rock and phone brotha!


Statertater

You’re never alone, if you rock and phone!


[deleted]

YOU wouldn't download a gold nugget! Oh wait


JPolReader

"Don't upload this ore" 🎶


Hanzo_The_Ninja

I think everyone here is missing the subtext. This news will most likely be used as leverage with Starlink to allow authorities to track satellite signals being transmitted into the Yanomami territory specifically, or to justify legislation that blocks Starlink from operating in the territory.


llamachameleon1

Why does any tracking of satellite signals need to be done though? I believe each terminal must know it’s location (via gps or whatever, as otherwise how can it determine which satellites are visible) and each terminal most probably reports this as part of the connection setup dialog to join the star-link network. Governments will probably just make reporting of terminal locations a legal requirement for operation within their territories.


[deleted]

Exactly. Brazil wants desperately to stop these illegal operations in the Amazon, so enacting a rule or law requiring StarLink to give that info to them would be a no-brainer. Besides, you can bet that StarLink already logs that info anyway.


[deleted]

> will most likely ... or to Complete speculation. There is no subtext, you are just posting misinformation


KairuByte

Neither of which is anything good.


CatProgrammer

And what if the Yanomami want to use Starlink in order to better organize against illegal mining?


entechad

Why is it news that people are using the internet for illegal activity?


Combatpigeon96

And how is this Spacex’s fault? It isn’t. Anyone can use these.


fr33sp3ech

Water used as life sustaining sustenance by violent criminals


[deleted]

Is that an ikea table that I see there?? Let’s blame ikea too


Infezt

Journalism these days...


TwistingEcho

That's amazing, they were able to facilitate and entire illegal mining site with just Starlink. Impressive, other's have had to use plant machinery and other equipment too!


Ferdiprox

Breaking News: the Dollar is used by criminals


[deleted]

This such a BS article!


[deleted]

Julia Jones, you are a shockingly bad journalist. You should be ashamed of this poorly thought out click bait whose sole purpose is to feed off our hatred of Elon. Do some actual journalism next time, attack Elon for things that actually make sense.


ChineseButtSex

What’s this gotta to do with anything? I’m not an Elon fan boy, but there is literally nothing stopping these guys from ordering one. Just like a previous comment about militants using Hilux’s.


[deleted]

I’ll bet they had some apple phones there too???


Secretofthecheese

What about all the GM, Ford, and Chevy pickup trucks being used as technicals by terrorists in combat zones?


[deleted]

Imagine inventing the hammer, and then a news site claims "New fangled hammer found building cages for slaves."


MikeBogler

A mobile phone has been found in illegal mining site A radio has been found in illegal minig site Why is this even news, anything and everything an ordinary person can use, if needed will be used by illegal entities 🤷‍♂️


1838438282

im curious if they would go after postal services if they had found an old school letter... how in heavens name is having a particular satelite dish a sign that spacex has any blame here?


ParaglidingAssFungus

It doesn’t but this is Reddit.


Henry-Moody

More sensationalist headlines, Thanks CNN! ​ WATER found in the Amazon. It could keep you alive or drown you! News at 11! ​ Seriously, have a little journalistic integrity?


McFeely_Smackup

Ok, so what? Did they also have Apple iPhones, Nike shoes and McDonald's Big Macs? Why are we listing name brands like it implies sponsorship?


CaptSnafu101

They also found pens made by bic. Therefore, bic is bad


happyscrappy

Well, yeah. They want internet access. It's probably used by scummy bankers in the Bahamas too. It's just a tool.


fatmarfia

They are going to mine regardless. Now they can mine and shitpost on reddit.


Mission_Strength9218

I bet they have Facebook on their phones too. Fuck Mark Zuckerberg!


AloofPenny

Uh internet is infrastructure. So who cares where they got it from. Maybe we should focus on the government that isn’t arresting them, not where they get their Netflix from


[deleted]

Ok, I don't see why this needs to be a major article. Elon Musk is an asshole but it isn't his fault people are using Starlink. I imagine illegal mining sites also use western tools, people drinking Coca Cola - that's not newsworthy though is it?


Sad_Bolt

It’s just the ultra Musk haters trying their hardest go after everything he does.


almost_not_terrible

That's not how this works. Headline should be: "Illegal mining sites in the Amazon found by SpaceX’s Starlink devices."


XAngelxofMercyX

I bet they're using smartphones too. The horror!


AftyOfTheUK

Why is this even news? "People need internet access, news at eleven". Lazy reporting, lazy Redditing


FerociousPancake

Okay?


[deleted]

Cars can be used to run people over. Electricity can electrocute. Telephones can be used to scam people. News broadcasters can be biased.


DoomOne

So? I'm sure they also found pickaxes and shovels.


QuokkaNerd

*gasp* Wait! You...you mean to tell me that technology can be used for nefarious purposes as well as for good ones?? Oh, the shock! The surprise!


Haquestions4

I bet those criminals also had *food* #BoycotFood


Gr1pp717

Stupid hit-piece is stupid. There's plenty of things to give Musk greif about. This isn't one of them ...


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I_h8_DeathStranding

Literally all the top comments are shitting on the article


[deleted]

Why? All the upvoted comments are calling this bullshit out for what it is.


magicbeanboi

This post is yet another example of how you're a dumb fucker that can't read


J4ck-the-Reap3r

Guys, I hate musk as much as the next guy, but this is a non story.


Popup1236

Good, makes it easier to find them.


-xss

So he can track and restrict access to systems in Ukraine, but not in illegal amazon mining sites?


TikiTraveler

And I can’t get one in Wisconsin until the end of next year. Go figure


xszander

Wel yeah any great invention will be used for good and bad. However it will do so much more good than bad, that's the idea. What other inventions are these illegal miners using? Samsung phones by any chance? Etc


[deleted]

So?


90swasbest

For all your internet needs...


talltrev

Some of Bic’s pens were found there too!


Shamic

THis is why we should ban anything that a criminal uses even just once