The new normal of tech at war
From Starlink deploying in Ukraine...
Is Starlink that important? It wouldn't be possible to restore 10 km of cable connection between villages in Chernigiv region after serious battles so quick. Normally it takes few months. Another case: provider Baryshivka-Net resumed the network for 5 villages by using only 1 📡. pic.twitter.com/VPY7nMAlz4
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) April 19, 2022
To Apple, Airpods used as trackers to locate Russian soldiers' bases...
Airpods stolen by Russians from Hostomel are now in the Belgorod region, Russia
— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) April 17, 2022
Apparently, they don't know that Apple lets you find the location. Or maybe they just don't care 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7fLaOoQLML
And Google Maps removing the military blur on Russian bases...
Google Maps shows strategic facilities in Russia:
— Meta Stone💧 (@Ii2Barrett) April 19, 2022
1. "Progress" on Russia's only aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov."
2. Nuclear ammunition storage base near Murmansk.
3. 1295th Central of armored vehicles of the Russian army.
4. Russian submarine base in Kamchatka pic.twitter.com/9XjPUvWe91
The American tech platforms are not so discreetly getting involved with the war in Ukraine. It's fascinating to see how these consumers platforms that are now embedded so deeply in our everyday life can be weaponized overnight.
It's also fascinating that there's no pretending anymore. These platforms are actively in conflict now:
NEWS: U.S. Department of Defense Electronic Warfare Director says it's 'Fantastic' how @SpaceX Starlink Team beat Russia signal-jamming in Ukraine. @elonmuskhttps://t.co/WW9ANCdNTc
— Sawyer Merritt 📈🚀 (@SawyerMerritt) April 22, 2022
Yesterday, Emmanuel Macron was reelected in France for five years as a pro-European leader. It's sadly evident that Europe lacks such tech capabilities and has no control over these switches whatsoever. Will we progress on these key infrastructure capabilities? A tricky question to answer, especially when European populists get more and more voters behind them to dismantle Europe.
If Europe works, it's because we are a 445 million integrated market, larger than the U.S., with the critical mass to fund more, scale faster, and own our future.
But we're still not fully aware of this incredible potential, aren't we?