US tech expert has warned Australia to be wary of Elon Musk and his Starlink satellite network

A US tech expert has warned Australia about the world’ richest man and Donald Trump confidant Elon Musk and using his Starlink satellite network.

A US tech expert has warned Australia the world’s richest man Elon Musk “could do what wanted” with his Starlink satellite internet network and wouldn’t put it pass him to meddle in Australia’s affairs.

US journalist Kara Swisher, who has written about the internet since 1994, was a guest on the ABC’s QandA program on Monday.

She was asked if Australia needed to rethink its use of Starlink being installed on Australian naval vessels.

Audience member Oliver Sinclair asked the Q+A panel if Australia should reconsider its use of Starlink in its naval vessels. (Photo by Jim Watson / AFP)

Audience member Oliver Sinclair said Musk’s Starlink had incredible power and it had been suggested the technology could be turned off or used as leverage during the Ukraine conflict.

“Given the role of tech oligarchs in the American administration and the use of technology as leverage, do we need to reconsider the place of Starlink being installed in 50 Australian naval vessels in our own defence systems?” he asked.

Ms Swisher said it was something Australia should think about.

“I would get as much independent ability to control the technology as possible, because he could suddenly decide to weigh on things that the Australian government is doing,” Ms Swisher responded.

She said the Trump confidant had geo-fenced Crimea during the Ukraine conflict.

“He did that, that happened,” she said.

American tech journalist and author Kara Swisher says countries should be wary of Elon Musk. Picture: Supplied

“He’s different from other contractors who sell a bomb and just say, ‘Drop it where you want’.

“This guy wants to be involved in the decision making part and he’s unelected.”

She said when there was only one provider, like Starlink, it put Musk in a powerful position.

“It puts him in a really powerful position and he could do what he wants in this way. He has shown himself to do that. and he could do what he wanted.

“He has shown himself to do that,” he said.

“If you use it you have to get assurances from him and I’m sorry, I don’t believe he wouldn’t meddle if he didn’t feel like that.”

Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts said the Australian Defence Force thought very carefully to ensure they had sovereign capability to defend Australia.

Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts said the Australian Defence Force thought very carefully to ensure we had sovereign capability to defend Australia.

“I don’t want to leave anyone with the idea we are relying on one provider for our satellite communications, that is not the case” he said.

“We partner with the US as our security allies and closest security partner because it makes Australia safer and stronger, enables us to do more, leveraging our capabilities.

Former UK Labour adviser Tom Baldwin said Europe was trying to disentangle itself, finding an alternative to Starlink, but it would take time and raised questions about AUKUS.

“Australia is a middle power.

“We cannot go it alone in the world, so we need to work with partner countries.”

Former UK Labour adviser Tim Baldwin said that close relationship now looked like it may be part of the problem rather that the solution.

“Europe is trying to disentangle itself, finding an alternative to Starlink, but it will take time and I think this raises questions about AUKUS.”

Originally published as US tech expert has warned Australia to be wary of Elon Musk and his Starlink satellite network