this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2025
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182
Left-wing "Starlink" election conspiracy theory spreads online (www.newsweek.com)
submitted 6 days ago by homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world
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[–] aubeynarf@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

it’s quite a stretch to say that Starlink DTC can connect to any “smart device“.

is the author trying to say that UPSes have cellular modems or satellite terminals in them?

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Not that I know of. Here’s a good recap of that part:

“Air-Gap” Protection — Theory vs. Reality: This is a critical distinction. The idea that voting systems are “air-gapped”—i.e., not connected to any network—is a common talking point, but it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.

  • Remote updates have been pushed in multiple jurisdictions, sometimes over cellular or satellite connections. Some systems labeled “offline” were shown to have remote management ports.

  • Direct-to-Cell (DTC) satellite capability, rolled out by Musk/Starlink in 2024, allowed access without land-based signals. These satellites could interface directly with LTE modems or integrated modules — no Wi-Fi or Ethernet required.

  • Pro V&V and system vendors never updated threat models to account for these technologies, and security protocols have not evolved with the real-world capabilities of modern equipment.

So yes — the “air-gap” is now more myth than reality, especially in jurisdictions using equipment with remote-access pathways installed or updated under the guise of “de minimis” changes.

[–] aubeynarf@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

that doesn’t connect the dots. The de minimis update was purportedly to the UPS driver software. Sounds like the implication is that the connection between the UPS and the driver was used to backdoor the systems. Which device exactly was supposed to have received the Starlink DTC connection?

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I really encourage you to read both articles but it sounds like you might want to start with the comment thread on the second substack one.

I don't know, because I'm not anything close to the author but I'll go see if I can find the answer to that.

Edit: Okay I think this is the relevant part. Basically the theory is that Palantir's "digital janitor" was used to upgrade voting machine firmware and then erase itself. That upgrade would allow LTE modems to connect to Starlink. That's my read, I could be wrong.

The Activation: Starlink Goes Direct-to-Cell

That signal came on October 30, 2024—just days before the election, Musk activated 265 brand new low Earth orbit (LEO) V2 Mini satellites, each equipped with Direct-to-Cell (DTC) technology capable of processing, routing, and manipulating real-time data, including voting data, through his satellite network.

DTC doesn’t require routers, towers, or a traditional SIM. It connects directly from satellite to any compatible device—including embedded modems in “air-gapped” voting systems, smart UPS units, or unsecured auxiliary hardware.

From that moment on:
- Commands could be sent from orbit
- Patch delivery became invisible to domestic monitors
- Compromised devices could be triggered remotely