Israeli Ad Firm Accused of Using Ad Auctions to Track Starlink Users Worldwide

Security analysts at TrendAI, a unit of Trend Micro, reportedly found that an Israeli company called Discover Tech was one of the biggest buyers of ad space aimed at Starlink customers. Six people familiar with the work say it ranked first in more than 100 countries, including places where Starlink is banned or restricted. The researchers believe the goal was likely to locate or monitor users rather than sell products. SpaceX and Discover Tech did not respond to requests for comment.

Why TrendAI Did Not Name the Company

TrendAI’s October 15 report called the actor “Shadow Earth 79” and never mentioned Discover Tech. Sources say researchers wanted to name it, but executives raised legal worries. TrendAI said its attribution approach is meant to avoid mistakes and misleading labels.

How Ad Bidding Can Expose Internet Users

Citizen Lab and the firm Confiant named Discover Tech the same day. They said the company exploited ad auctions, which can leak user data to bidders. Collected over time and combined with other information, that data can identify people, trace their browsing and sometimes prepare them for surveillance software. Ads appeared inside dozens of sensitive networks run by media groups, governments and technology firms.

Unusual Bidding Patterns in Conflict Zones

TrendAI said the firm was the top buyer in Syria, Libya, Yemen and South Sudan, and second in Afghanistan, where real Western advertising demand is close to zero. It also took an unusually large share of bids in Hungary, Israel, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Venezuela. Starlink matters in Ukraine, where the military uses it for frontline communication and drone direction. A large US tech company and an international organization have reportedly opened internal reviews.