AMBC

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has accused the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump of improperly using Starlink’s civilian satellite internet system for military purposes amid reports of tensions between the Pentagon and SpaceX over operational costs.

The controversy emerged after Musk posted on X that the U.S. Department of Defense had violated the terms of service attached to Starlink’s civilian network.

“They made improper use of the Starlink civilian system for military purposes. Direct violation of terms of service,” Musk wrote.

According to AMBC source, the disagreement centers around the Pentagon’s alleged use of Starlink systems for military operations linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, including communications support involving U.S. military drone operations.

Reports indicated that SpaceX officials argued the Pentagon subscribed to lower-cost civilian-grade services while allegedly using the systems in ways that required higher-tier military or aviation-level subscriptions.

The Pentagon reportedly relied heavily on Starlink technology in operations connected to Iran, including efforts to bypass Iranian internet restrictions and support communication infrastructure during periods of unrest.

A Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell, denied claims of any breakdown in relations with SpaceX, describing the company as “a strong and valued partner.”

The Department of Defense also stated that it remains committed to maintaining a competitive environment among satellite communication providers while exploring additional vendors.

The dispute highlights the increasingly complex relationship between private technology companies and national defense operations, especially as governments rely more heavily on privately owned communication infrastructure during geopolitical conflicts.

The disagreement comes months after Musk and Trump reportedly repaired tensions following earlier disagreements over federal spending and economic policy.

Nigerian Fintech Sycamore Wants $29 million in Deposits After MFB Acquisition

Sycamore, a Nigerian fintech, wants to build a deposit base that could exceed ₦40 billion ($29.13 million) as it expands from digital lending into banking and payments following its acquisition of a microfinance bank licence.

The company is targeting between ₦40 billion ($29.13 million) and ₦50 billion ($36.41 million) in loans this year, according to Akin-Moses, who said Sycamore would need deposits that exceed that figure to support its lending ambitions.

The digital lender acquired the MFB licence through the acquisition of an undisclosed Kano-based microfinance bank. The startup’s chief executive officer, Babatunde Akin-Moses, confirmed in an interview on Tuesday that deposit mobilisation would become one of its biggest priorities now that it can hold funds.