Satellite firm Planet Labs to indefinitely withhold Iran war images
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- Planet Labs announced it will indefinitely withhold satellite imagery of Iran and the Middle East conflict region following a U.S. government request, expanding on a previous 14-day delay imposed last month.
- The imagery restriction, dating back to March 9, aims to prevent adversaries from using the images to attack the U.S. and its allies and will remain until the conflict ends.
- The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and U.S. bases in Gulf states.
- Planet Labs will implement a "managed distribution" system, releasing images only for urgent, mission-critical needs or public interest, balancing security concerns with stakeholder needs.
- Another provider, Vantor (formerly Maxar Technologies), has applied its own enhanced access controls in parts of the Middle East but has not been contacted by the U.S. government regarding new restrictions.
