The Global Export of Digital Repression: China’s Surveillance Tech Goes International
A leaked trove of internal documents from Geedge Networks reveals how the company markets surveillance technology globally, creating “digital authoritarianism as a service.” The leak shows that China’s Great Firewall isn’t a unique monolith but operates like Western surveillance tech, driven by business strategies and competitive bids.
Hot Take:
Who knew that spying and censorship could be such a cutthroat business? Turns out, China’s digital watchdogs are more like Silicon Valley startups than state-controlled Orwellian overlords. With leaked documents spilling the tea on Geedge Networks and GoLaxy, it’s clear that the Great Firewall isn’t just a government behemoth, it’s a franchisable product! Grab your popcorn, folks, because the world of digital authoritarianism just got a whole lot more entertaining.
Key Points:
- Geedge Networks is exporting digital censorship tools globally, akin to a commercialized “Great Firewall.”
- Geedge and GoLaxy rely on academic collaborations similar to Western surveillance tech development.
- Both companies maintain close ties with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
- GoLaxy focuses on social media propaganda targeting domestic entities, while Geedge has international clients.
- The leaks reveal economic motivations behind China’s surveillance industry, mirroring Western practices.