How Satellite Data Blurs the Line Between War and Humanitarian Aid
The line between humanitarian aid and military operations has grown increasingly blurred in recent years. Commercial satellite imagery and data analysis tools, once used mainly for civilian purposes, now play a key role in both disaster response and warfare. This overlap has raised concerns about privacy, security, and the unintended consequences of dual-use technology. In March 2025, the US government temporarily cut off Ukraine’s access to Maxar’s satellite imagery on a government platform. The move highlighted how easily commercial data—critical for humanitarian work—can be controlled for strategic reasons. Around the same time, the US Department of Defense formally designated Palantir’s Maven system as a core military capability. Maven analyses battlefield data to pinpoint targets, supporting thousands of airstrikes.
The same technologies that assist in conflict also underpin humanitarian efforts. The UN’s satellite analysis centre, **UNOSAT**, relies on imagery to guide disaster response and gather evidence in crises. Yet the supply chain for this data often overlaps with military intelligence workflows, creating risks for aid groups. If humanitarian organisations depend on dual-use vendors—those serving both civilian and defence markets—they may unintentionally become linked to security operations, undermining trust. Criticism of these partnerships has been sharp. When Palantir announced a collaboration with the **World Food Program** in 2019, promising real-time decision-making tools, human rights and technology advocacy groups condemned the move. Concerns centred on data protection and the ethical implications of a military contractor working in aid. The debate intensified after a British surgeon told UK lawmakers in 2024 that drones in Gaza were targeting injured civilians—a claim that underscored how easily surveillance tools could be repurposed.
The overlap between humanitarian and military data systems shows no signs of slowing. Aid agencies now face a dilemma: rely on advanced tools to save lives or risk being drawn into broader security networks. For now, the commercial imagery market remains deeply tied to defence, leaving organisations to navigate the consequences of dual-use technology.
