WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: SpaceX Restricts “Unauthorized Use” of Starlink By Russian Drones
Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Julie Chang

Main Theme

This episode centers on SpaceX's new measures to block unauthorized use of Starlink satellite internet terminals by Russian drones amid the conflict in Ukraine. It also touches on major developments in US critical mineral policy and a shift in the partnership between Saks Fifth Avenue and Amazon. The update delivers a quick round-up of significant tech industry headlines with clear geopolitical and business implications.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. SpaceX and Ukraine: Restricting Russian Drone Connectivity

Background: Ukraine’s Defense Minister recently appealed to SpaceX for assistance in halting Russian drones’ access to Starlink internet connectivity.
Action: Elon Musk confirms that Starlink has now blocked unauthorized usage of its terminals by Russian drones.
How it happened: Although Starlink is not officially available in Russia, Russian forces acquired terminals through black market channels.
Technical Solution: A “whitelist” of verified terminals has been put in place; only authorized Starlink devices can operate within Ukrainian territory.
Impact: Ukraine has noted “rapid results” from the initial technical steps, suggesting the fix is already hampering Russian drone operations.

"Ukraine's defense minister said last week that his team contacted SpaceX and proposed ways to stop the Russian drones... He confirmed that the first steps delivered rapid results."
— Julie Chang, 00:38

2. U.S. Strategic Minerals Stockpile: "Project Vault"

Policy News: The Trump administration is moving forward with the development of “Project Vault,” a $12 billion stockpile of critical minerals.
Objective: The aim is to reduce U.S. reliance on China for rare earth elements and metals and to prevent supply chain shortages.
Financing: The project will leverage $1.67 billion in private capital and a $10 billion federal loan (pending final arrangements).
Participants: Over a dozen companies—including General Motors, Stellantis, and Google—are involved. While GM, Stellantis, and Google all declined or did not immediately comment, their participation signals the strategic importance of the effort.

"The project will combine $1.67 billion in private capital and a $10 billion loan from the US exp... more than a dozen companies have agreed to participate, including General Motors, Stellantis and Google."
— Julie Chang, 01:13

3. Saks Fifth Avenue and Amazon: Partnership Winds Down

Business Shift: Saks Fifth Avenue’s parent company will discontinue its partnership with Amazon after filing for bankruptcy the previous month.
Background: The collaboration, formed in December 2024, centered on Saks selling merchandise through Amazon, bolstered by a $475 million investment from Amazon.
Outcome: The partnership did not gain traction, with Saks leadership citing limited brand participation. Saks now aims to focus on its proprietary website instead of the Amazon storefront.

"According to a Saks executive's email to employees, the partnership saw limited brand participation. She added that the Amazon storefront would be wound down so that Saks could focus on driving traffic to its own website."
— Julie Chang, 01:54

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Starlink and Ukraine:
“Starlink isn't activated in Russia, but a black market supplied user terminals to Russian forces.”
— Julie Chang, 00:50
On U.S. mineral strategy:
“The move is aimed at reducing reliance on China for rare earths and metals and prevent future supply shortages.”
— Julie Chang, 01:04
On Saks & Amazon breakup:
“But the partnership never really took off... The partnership saw limited brand participation.”
— Julie Chang, 01:48

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:19] – Starlink blocks Russian drones following Ukraine's appeal
[01:03] – Trump administration announces critical mineral “Project Vault”
[01:44] – Saks Fifth Avenue ends Amazon partnership
[02:19] – Host sign-off and tease for tomorrow’s episode

Language & Tone

The episode maintains the Wall Street Journal’s characteristic concise, news-driven tone, with Julie Chang delivering facts in an efficient and accessible manner.

Summary

This Tech News Briefing delivers a succinct yet comprehensive look at how technology intersects with geopolitics and commerce: from SpaceX's real-time intervention in Ukraine’s conflict, to US efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains, and shifting strategies in high-end retail partnerships. Each story highlights the broad, often complex impacts of technology in today’s world, making the episode insightful for listeners tracking both tech innovation and its wider consequences.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Personalization has become the defining factor in customer loyalty. According to Twilio's 2025 State of Customer Engagement Report, 87% of businesses consider it a top priority.

B (0:11)

At the break.

A (0:12)

Join Twilio's Chris Lyon for insights on using AI to personalize customer interactions.

B (0:19)

Here's your afternoon TNB Tech minute for Monday, February 2nd. I'm Julie Chang for the Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk said Starlink has stopped unauthorized use of its satellite Internet terminals by Russian drones following Ukraine's appeal for assistance. Ukraine's defense minister said last week that his team contacted SpaceX and proposed ways to stop the Russian drones flying over Ukrainian cities equipped with Starlink connectivity. He confirmed that the first steps delivered rapid results. Starlink isn't activated in Russia, but a black market supplied user terminals to Russian forces. Ukraine and SpaceX are now coordinating a whitelist of verified terminals, ensuring only authorized devices operate within Ukrainian territory. The Trump administration is preparing to develop a roughly $12 billion critical mineral stockpile dubbed Project Vault. The move is aimed at reducing reliance on China for rare earths and metals and prevent future supply shortages. A White House official said the project will combine $1.67 billion in private capital and a $10 billion loan from the US exp. The venture was reported earlier by Bloomberg. The White House official said more than a dozen companies have agreed to participate in the project, including General Motors, Stellantis and Google. GM declined to comment. Stellantis and Google did not immediately comment, and the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue will wind down its partnership with Amazon to prioritize its own businesses after filing for bankruptcy last month, Saks Fifth Avenue and Amazon joined forces in December 2024. Amazon invested? 475 million dol million in Saks Global on the condition that Saks sell merchandise on Amazon's website. But the partnership never really took off. According to a Saks executive's email to employees, the partnership saw limited brand participation. She added that the Amazon storefront would be wound down so that Saks could focus on driving traffic to its own website. For a deeper dive into what's happening in tech, check out tomorrow's Tech News Briefing podcast.

A (2:24)

How is AI creating even more powerful opportunities for personalized customer experiences? Here's Twilio's Chris Lyon with some thoughts.

C (2:32)

AI will allow easier use and unlocking of the data and what's happening with that user at scale. If you take an airline example, when did this person travel? When are they likely to travel? That's all based on data that you can start to analyze and go, okay, this person's always gone to this type of hotel. Should we start to recommend more to them? Bringing AI into the fold to be able to analyze that and provide those recommendations is extremely powerful. It really comes down to the steps of what is the customer journey that you want to do or provide, what is the data that you already have and what's the data that you have collected? And then bringing those tools to really bring that deep personalized experience.