Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Concerns after satellite provider restricts Iran images following US pressure

Following a directive from the US government, Planet Labs, a California-based satellite imagery firm, has imposed an indefinite restriction on sharing images of Iran and significant portions of the Middle East. This decision has raised alarms among humanitarian groups and journalists, limiting their ability to track the consequences of the ongoing US-Israel conflict in the region. Initially, the company introduced a 14-day delay on new imagery from the area in March, but it has since escalated the measure to a permanent limitation.

Planet Labs explained that the delay was initially meant to “ensure our imagery is not tactically leveraged by adversarial actors to target allied and NATO-partner personnel and civilians.” The company now operates under a “managed distribution” model, releasing selected images “on a one-off basis until the security risk has abated.” However, the extent of the restrictions remains unclear, though BBC Verify’s access to the portal suggests they apply broadly across the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza.

“What we’re seeing now is voluntary compliance driven by commercial incentive structures, not legal mandates,” said Bill Greer, a geospatial analyst and co-founder of Common Space. “When your largest customer is also the government that regulates you, the line between voluntary and involuntary gets very thin.”

Humanitarian organizations rely heavily on satellite imagery to monitor crises. Magnus Corfixen, Oxfam’s humanitarian lead, highlighted how the company used such data to plan logistics during live conflicts, including in Gaza where Planet has suspended coverage. “We couldn’t access these water systems in person,” Corfixen noted. “So we tried to use satellite imagery to see whether or not they were still operational or if they had been destroyed.”

According to investigative journalist Benjamin Strick, satellite imagery is essential for reporting in conflict zones and restricted areas. “In regions where reporters cannot safely access the scene or where information is tightly controlled, these images become a critical tool,” he said. The changes at Planet Labs mean that images taken after March 9 are no longer routinely available to clients, marking a significant shift from prior practices.

Vantor, a subsidiary of Maxar Technologies, has also been contracted by the US military but has not imposed restrictions on Iran coverage, as stated to Reuters. While Planet’s business model aligns with other industry players, its expanding ties with defense agencies, including the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the US Navy, have given governments increased influence over its operations. This has sparked debates about the balance between commercial interests and geopolitical pressure.