[prepend]

Different argument altogether.

Starlink does nothing special to enable mining. Thousands of people and industries use it. It’s just infrastructure.

I’m not arguing for replacements. I’m arguing that it’s stupid to blame infrastructure for the sins of the people using it.

That’s like blaming vegetables because Hitler was a vegetarian.

[mistrial9]

no it is nothing at all like blaming vegetables.. there is no cell phone coverage in the distant edges of inland Brazil.. and cell towers can track users.. Starlink directly enables clandestine communication where that is otherwise not possible.

[prepend]

But starlink does that for everyone. They don’t do anything special for mining.

Just like the mining operations use petroleum to mine. Petroleum directly enabled mining.

Mining uses electricity. Electricity directly enabled mining.

Directly enabling something doesn’t matter. If the tool is made to only do that, then it does. There are a lot of cases in the US about this. Like Betamax case where the court ruled that just being used for something illegal doesn’t give culpability, it’s necessary to be made specifically to do something illegal.

If starlink specifically added functionality to enable illegal mining then you might have a valid argument.

[mistrial9]

no - in those cases you mention there are alternatives or work-around products available.. what work-around product is available to have real-time communication from remote spots in the Brazilian territory ?

[prepend]

Satellite internet from other providers that’s available at a higher price.

But that’s not relevant. Because starlink is usable by everyone. Do you think they should have some way to prevent mining companies from using it? Is there a law in Brazil that prevents starlink from selling to miners?