ACEH,INDONESIA - Reports from several flood-hit areas in Aceh have sparked public outrage after evacuees said they were being charged Rp20,000 (around USD 1.25) per hour to access WiFi labeled as Starlink, despite Elon Musk announcing that emergency connectivity support was being provided free of charge for humanitarian response.

Residents and volunteers in temporary shelters told local monitors that individuals had set up WiFi hotspots and imposed hourly fees while advertising the connection as Starlink. Screenshots and testimonies circulated widely across Indonesian social media on Wednesday, prompting calls for clarification from authorities.

Starlink, a satellite-internet service operated by SpaceX, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the alleged charges. It also remains unclear whether the WiFi points were deployed by government agencies, humanitarian organizations, or private individuals operating consumer Starlink kits.

According to officials coordinating Aceh’s disaster response, Starlink units were offered to support emergency communications in isolated areas where mobile networks had collapsed due to severe flooding and landslides. Authorities emphasized that all emergency connectivity is intended to be free for evacuees and responders.

A senior Indonesian disaster-response official, speaking on background because the investigation is ongoing, said that unauthorized monetization of emergency services could constitute a public-service irregularity. “Any attempt to profit from disaster relief facilities is unacceptable and will be reviewed,” the official said.

Internet access is considered crucial in Aceh’s current situation, as tens of thousands of residents continue facing disruptions to electricity, telecommunications, and road access. Rapid assessments by BPBD and military units show that several districts remain partially isolated, slowing the delivery of aid and communications.

Humanitarian groups are urging the government to implement clearer protocols for the deployment and monitoring of Starlink and other satellite-based communication tools to prevent misuse during crises. Regional authorities are expected to evaluate the complaints and determine whether the charges stemmed from miscommunication, informal bandwidth reselling, or deliberate profiteering in disaster zones.