Israeli-Cypriot Company Develops Tool to Identify Starlink Users
A cyber company based in Israel and Cyprus has created Stargetz, a tool designed to de-anonymize users of the Starlink satellite internet service. The company plans to present the tool alongside its existing VPN de-anonymizing product at the ISS World Europe conference. The firm stated that the tool does not intercept communications or break encryption.
techcentral.co.zaAn Israeli-Cypriot cyber company has developed a tool to de-anonymize Starlink users and is expected to reveal it at the upcoming ISS World Europe conference, Intelligence Online reported on Monday. The tool, called Stargetz, is intended to function alongside the company's existing VPN de-anonymizing tool known as VPNz.
The company, Targeteam, said that Stargetz does not intercept communication traffic or breach Starlink's encryption in order to identify the system's users. Targeteam hopes to avoid legal and public disputes over the tool's usage by operating in this manner.
Intelligence Online reported that the company employs engineers with backgrounds in the military and Israeli cyber firms such as Cognyte and UTX Technologies. Details of the team are kept under wraps, with employees requested not to maintain active LinkedIn profiles.
Starlink is a satellite-internet network operated as a subsidiary of SpaceX. It can be accessed through small, portable terminals. The United States smuggled thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran in January after the Iranian regime cut off internet service during a crackdown on anti-regime protests.
That information was previously reported by the Wall Street Journal. Starlink has been used in various locations where traditional internet access is restricted or unavailable.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- May 12, 2026
Intelligence Online reported that Targeteam developed Stargetz tool to de-anonymize Starlink users.
1 source@Jerusalem_Post - May 12, 2026
Targeteam is scheduled to unveil Stargetz at the ISS World Europe conference.
1 source@Jerusalem_Post - January 2026
The United States provided Starlink terminals to Iran during protests after internet was cut off.
1 source@Jerusalem_Post
Potential Impact
- 01
Targeteam plans to present the tool at an upcoming industry conference in Europe.
- 02
Law enforcement or governments may gain ability to identify individual Starlink users in restricted areas.
- 03
Users of Starlink in conflict zones or areas with internet blackouts could face increased identification risks.
- 04
The company may face legal challenges if the tool is used to circumvent Starlink privacy measures.
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