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08 June, 2025.: A recent report by The Washington Post, citing White House experts, has revealed serious security concerns regarding Starlink, the satellite-based internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The report comes at a time when tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have escalated.
According to the report, in February, representatives from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) installed a Starlink terminal on the roof of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the White House, without prior notification to the officials responsible for the White House’s communication systems. Three anonymous White House officials expressed concerns about the potential security risks posed by this setup.
The officials noted that a Wi-Fi network named “Starlink Guest” was detected in the White House premises, requiring only a password for access without additional user verification or two-factor authentication. This network, observed as recently as last week, could potentially allow sensitive information to be leaked or provide hackers with unauthorized access.
One official highlighted that White House devices operate under strict security protocols, with all external communications monitored and routed through a VPN tunnel. However, Starlink’s connection bypasses these security measures, enabling untracked data transmission, which poses a significant risk to confidentiality.
The controversy unfolds amid a deteriorating relationship between Musk and Trump. In a recent NBC interview, Trump declared that his relationship with Musk is over, citing disappointment over Musk’s criticism of a tax and spending bill. Musk, in response, took to social media platform X to personally attack Trump, even alleging his involvement in the “Epstein files” without evidence. Trump has also threatened Musk’s government-backed businesses, adding further strain to their ties.
The Washington Post reached out to both the White House and Starlink for comments. The White House redirected the inquiry to the U.S. Secret Service, which stated that it was aware of DOGE’s efforts to enhance internet connectivity at the White House complex and did not consider it a security threat. Starlink did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.
Despite these concerns, Starlink has consistently claimed that its satellite connections are relatively difficult to hack. However, the reported vulnerabilities could pose significant challenges for Musk’s business ventures, especially given the current political climate.
AI/MR
