In brief
Planet Labs, under request from the U.S. government, has limited access to satellite imagery of Iran, transitioning from a 14-day delay to an indefinite restriction. This decision raises concerns about the transparency and accessibility of critical information relevant to the ongoing US-Israel tensions with Iran and its implications for humanitarian efforts.
Humanitarian organisations and journalists have expressed concerns after a leading satellite imagery company told its users it was restricting access to images of Iran and large parts of the Middle East following a request from the US government. California-based Planet Labs initially introduced a 14-day delay on providing new imagery from the region in March. It has since moved to an 'indefinite' restriction. The decision has limited how journalists, humanitarian groups and analysts can use satellite images to assess the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran, including damage to military targets and civilian infrastructure. It is unclear what prompted the US to press Planet to suspend its coverage and the Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.Originally, Planet stated that its 14-day delay was 'to ensure our imagery is not tactically leveraged by adversarial actors to target allied and NATO-partner personnel and civilians'. Now, the company has switched to a system of 'managed distribution', sharing selected images 'on a one-off basis until the security risk has abated'. The extent of the restrictions appears to cover much of the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.According to satellite imaging experts, companies like Planet that have military contracts can sometimes implement 'voluntary compliance' requests that are influenced by commercial incentives. The reliance on satellite imagery by reporters and humanitarian organizations has increased, especially in conflict zones where access is restricted.The charity Oxfam has noted that satellite imagery is crucial for planning logistics during ongoing conflicts. With limited access to information, organizations struggle to coordinate aid efficiently.Expert opinions suggest that restrictions like those imposed on Planet's services may become more commonplace as the technology becomes integral to military and humanitarian operations. However, the growing availability of other satellite solutions may challenge these limitations, as reported by various sources including BBC Verify.
