An Israeli advertising technology company, Discover-Tech, has come under scrutiny after cybersecurity researchers reportedly linked it to extensive advertising activity targeting users of Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX. The findings have raised concerns about whether online advertising systems could be used to track internet users.

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According to a Reuters report published on October 27, 2026, researchers at TrendAI, a cybersecurity unit of Trend Micro, found that Discover-Tech was among the leading bidders for advertisements shown to Starlink users. The company reportedly ranked first for Starlink-related advertising traffic in more than 100 countries, including some where the service is restricted or banned.

Researchers and people familiar with the investigation suspect that the advertising activity may have been intended to identify users' locations or monitor their online activity. However, the alleged surveillance purpose has not been independently established as a confirmed fact.

TrendAI's October report identified the suspected entity using the codename “Shadow-Earth-79” without publicly naming Discover-Tech. Sources told Reuters that the codename referred to the Israeli company.

Separately, Citizen Lab, a digital research group at the University of Toronto, and advertising technology firm Confiant identified Discover-Tech in investigations into the alleged misuse of online advertising systems. Such systems can expose information about users and their devices to advertising bidders, potentially allowing data to be combined to identify or track individuals.

The reports said advertisements associated with the company had appeared across sensitive networks connected to media organisations, governments and technology firms. Google, Comcast and other companies reportedly removed Discover-Tech from their advertising platforms following the investigations.

Neither Discover-Tech nor its chief executive responded to Reuters' requests for comment, while SpaceX also did not respond.

The allegations highlight growing concerns about digital privacy, particularly for people using satellite internet in conflict zones or countries where access to online services is restricted. They also raise questions about safeguards in the online advertising industry and the potential misuse of commercial technology for surveillance.