Satellite companies restrict access to Middle East images for fear they could be used

In a marked shift, commercial satellite companies that provide open source data widely used by many, including journalists and researchers, have restricted access to images showing Iran and the Middle East in general, including areas where there are US military sites that have been targeted by Iran’s retaliatory fire.

Planet Labs, which regularly provides images used by news organizations such as News themezone, said earlier this month that it was delaying the release of all new images from Iran, the Persian Gulf, US allied bases and “existing conflict zones” for 14 days.

In a note to clients sent on March 9 and shared with News themezone by a spokesperson, Planet Labs said there were “genuine concerns about the use of Planet’s data on Iran, as well as an extended risk window for recent images.”

The company “has decided to take additional and proactive measures to ensure that our imagery is not tactically exploited by adversary actors to attack personnel and civilians of NATO allies and partners,” it said.

This type of satellite imagery has been vital to journalists covering conflicts for years, especially amid Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine and during the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Images taken from space have provided evidence for research on destruction, population movementsand even massacresespecially in remote or inaccessible locations due to fighting on the ground.

One of those cases is Deadly missile attack on a school in Minabin southern Iran in the first hours of the conflict. Satellite images were key to identifying that the February 28 attack, which according to a preliminary assessment was probably carried out by the US.hit buildings not only belonging to the IRGC Navy complex but also severely damaged the school, where Iran says 175 people were killed.

The other big company often relied on for satellite updates is Vantor, formerly called Maxar, which currently has controls over imagery from parts of the Middle East, a spokesperson said.

Those controls may include limiting who can request new imagery or purchase historical imagery, “in areas where the United States, NATO, and other allied and partner forces are actively operating, as well as in areas that are actively under attack by adversaries,” the company said. Vantor has restricted images of US bases and other sensitive sites for years.

Vantor said he remained committed to supporting “responsible journalism” by proactively providing images from Iran and the Middle East to journalists around the world, while maintaining safeguards.

Both companies have active contracts with the US government.

Planet said it consulted with government and outside experts, while Vantor emphasized that its decisions were not imposed by any government.

In its statement to customers, Planet said it recognized “that timely data is important to its operations” and did not make the decision lightly, while saying it intended to “resume standard service as soon as safety conditions permit.”