Livestream from Patagonia falsely claimed to show Antarctica’s ‘Ice Wall’
A video is spreading on social media claiming that Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service allegedly allowed a livestreamer to show Antarctica’s “legendary ‘ice wall'” – a reference to the debunked flat Earth conspiracy theory. But the Antarctic continent has been extensively explored and mapped by scientists and private tourist expeditions, and a review of the streamer’s full video and cruise itinerary shows the footage was filmed in Patagonia.
“Thanks to Starlink, the first person was able to follow the legendary ‘ice wall’ in Antarctica live,” claims a February 9, 2026 post on X from influencer Mario Nawfal, which AFP has already verified for promoting disinformation.
The claim was reposted by Musk, the platform’s owner, who used the video to highlight his satellite internet service, designed to provide connectivity to remote areas.
Similar posts appeared on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok – broadcast in several languages, including Hindi.
Screenshot of X captured on February 13, 2026
Screenshot of X captured on February 13, 2026 Mentions of the “Antarctic ice wall” refer to a long-standing conspiracy theory that the Earth is flat and surrounded by a huge ice barrier. Some flat Earthers also believe debunked claims that the “ice wall” was discovered by British naval officer Sir James Clark Ross and hides unknown lands or civilizations. But there is no evidence from land or air exploration of the continent to support this theory. And at the end of the video showing boats approaching a glacier, the streamer clarifies that he is not in Antarctica, saying: “Patagonia is truly the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen.” A reverse image search revealed that the video was taken from an hour-long show that “Ice Poseidon”, an American livestreamer and YouTuber whose real name is Paul Denino, aired on February 8 on the Kick platform (archived here). Denino’s multiple other posts on Kick clearly indicate that he was traveling on an Australis Cruises ship. One showed him exploring Ushuaia, a port city in southern Argentina, which is the first stop on the “Patagonian Explorer” journey that ends in Punta Arenas, Chile. Despite the title of the February 8 video, “A Boat to the End of the World,” the ship’s itinerary shows that the voyage took place in Patagonia and not Antarctica (archived here). The original stream also includes footage of a tour operator’s presentation describing an itinerary that includes Magdalena Island, located in Chilean territory in the Strait of Magellan. Screenshot of Kick taken on February 13, 2026 The AFP has already refuted other claims about Antarctica here, here and here.
