Discover-Tech's Use of Online Advertising for Tracking
Discover-Tech, an Israeli ad-tech firm, leveraged online advertising to monitor Starlink satellite internet users in more than 100 countries, including those where Starlink is banned or restricted. According to data from TrendAI, a division of the Japanese cybersecurity company Trend Micro, Discover-Tech ranked as the top bidder in advertising auctions targeting Starlink users within these nations.
On October 15, TrendAI released a report highlighting suspicious activity linked to an advertiser operating under the codename Shadow-Earth-79, which six Reuters sources identified as Discover-Tech. Both the Canadian research group Citizen Lab and the US ad-tech company Confiant have accused Discover-Tech of exploiting advertising auctions to conduct widespread surveillance. The company’s ads appeared across media networks, government websites, and tech company platforms.
Responses Following the Investigation
Following inquiries by Google, Comcast, and other major companies, Discover-Tech was removed from their advertising platforms. Additionally, at least one major US tech corporation and an international organization have begun internal reviews to assess the impact of Discover-Tech’s advertising on their employees. Shadow-Earth-79 was noted as the largest ad buyer in countries such as Syria, Libya, Yemen, and South Sudan, and ranked second in Afghanistan.
Starlink, powered by SpaceX satellites, provides internet connectivity in regions lacking reliable telecom infrastructure. In Ukraine, Starlink plays a critical role in frontline military communications and drone operation control. SpaceX, Discover-Tech, and its CEO did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. TrendAI emphasized caution in assigning blame to prevent false accusations or unwarranted conclusions.
This case highlights the potential dangers associated with online advertising technologies, particularly concerning user privacy and ethical marketing practices.
As digital data oversight tightens and user restrictions increase in various countries, violations like those committed by Discover-Tech could lead to severe consequences for offending companies. This incident may become a pivotal example prompting stricter regulation of the advertising industry and its societal impact.