Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has issued an urgent ultimatum to its Kenyan subscribers: complete physical identity verification or face a total service shutdown.
In an update to its regulatory compliance strategy, the company has set a firm deadline of April 30, 2026, for all existing users to verify their identities in person at authorized retailers. The move, mandated by Kenyan authorities, signals an end to the era of anonymous satellite connectivity in the region.
The communication from Starlink reads as follows (as received by a customer):
“Act by April 30: Complete Identity Verification. As required by local authorities in Kenya, all Starlink customers must complete identity verification in person at an authorised retailer to continue receiving service. Please complete this verification by April 30, 2026.”
Unlike previous registration processes that could be handled digitally, the new directive introduces a rigorous multi-step verification path:
- Online Update: Users must first update their Starlink account portals with accurate personal information, including a valid photo ID.
- Strict Matching: Starlink warned that the name on the account must exactly match the details on the national ID; any discrepancies will result in registration delays or immediate service interruption.
- Physical Verification: After the digital update, subscribers are required to visit an authorized Starlink retailer within Kenya for in-person verification to finalize their compliance.
New sign-ups are already feeling the heat, as Starlink has effectively blocked new orders until identity documents are uploaded and verified through the portal.
The Kenyan government has justified the mandate as a necessary tool to combat phone-based crimes and cyber-terrorism, bringing satellite operators under the same regulatory umbrella as mobile giants like Safaricom and Airtel.
Failure to meet the new directive will result in:
- Service Interruption: Immediate throttling or loss of connectivity.
- Account Deactivation: Permanent removal of service for non-compliant hardware.