Starlink was offered free to those hit by Hurricane Helene. It was anything but (opens in new tab)

(theregister.com)

25 pointsKatydid1y ago42 comments

42 comments

Let's put aside the ethical and legal implications of lying to disaster survivors, and calling your normal free trial month as "disaster relief", and enrolling people recovering from a disaster in a monthly auto-renewing service after a 1 month free trial ...

Actually, no, let's not put that aside. This is repulsive behavior.

inemesitaffia1y ago

Article is misleading. There's no auto renewal

falcolas1y ago

According to the starlink announcement:

"After 30 days, we will move you to a paid Residential subscription, tied the location you are using it in at that time. We will reevaluate as necessary based on conditions in the area. Starlink will notify you as the 30 day mark approaches to remind you of the change."

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xracy1y ago

"what can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence"

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carlosdp1y ago

Starlinks are being dropped for free by volunteers all over the Helene disaster area. They were being blocked by having to setup payment, so Elon made it free in that area to unblock them.

This is an absurd article, the people who need Starlinks in NC and such can't even log on to this page to order one, they by definition do not have internet access at the moment!

josefritzishere1y ago

This is classic Musk. Is this guy even capable of conducting honest business?

KatydidOP1y ago

This came as a huge shock to those who only got the "free Starlink" through word of mouth here on the ground. We were told, "just go to starlink.com/activate" and type in your address. It was complete horseshit. The worst part about it was phones were in SOS mode, there was no internet anywhere, yet we could load that page to activate, which meant THERE WAS INTERNET. Just not to those who didn't pay for hardware and delivery (to places that are impossible to deliver to even today a week out). Infuriating.

inemesitaffia1y ago

The offer is specifically targeted at people buying at retail who have issues activating.

And has never been misleading. You can check the source yourself

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42 comments

12_throw_away1y ago

Actually, no, let's not put that aside. This is repulsive behavior.

inemesitaffia1y ago

Article is misleading. There's no auto renewal

falcolas1y ago

According to the starlink announcement:

1 more reply

xracy1y ago

"what can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence"

1 more reply

carlosdp1y ago

Starlinks are being dropped for free by volunteers all over the Helene disaster area. They were being blocked by having to setup payment, so Elon made it free in that area to unblock them.

This is an absurd article, the people who need Starlinks in NC and such can't even log on to this page to order one, they by definition do not have internet access at the moment!

josefritzishere1y ago

This is classic Musk. Is this guy even capable of conducting honest business?

KatydidOP1y ago

inemesitaffia1y ago

The offer is specifically targeted at people buying at retail who have issues activating.

And has never been misleading. You can check the source yourself

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse