Introduction: A Glimpse into China’s Dark Tech Industry
Recent leaks from two lesser-known Chinese companies have unveiled the shadowy underbelly of the tech industry in Beijing, focusing on the production and marketing of censorship, surveillance, and propaganda tools. According to an investigative report published by Wired, the companies, Geedge Networks and GoLaxy, offer “digital surveillance and suppression” services that include the capability to intercept internet traffic, collect data from social media, create fake narratives, and disseminate them online.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Propaganda
The leaked documents provide a detailed look at the operations of both companies, indicating that their business practices are not solely governed by the Communist Party. Instead, they mirror Western surveillance and propaganda companies, involving research and development in partnership with academic institutions, the pursuit of government contracts, and pressure to meet quarterly sales targets.
Geedge Networks: Exporting Censorship Software
One significant revelation from Geedge’s documents is its sale of a commercial firewall software version to countries like Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar. This software is equipped with features for monitoring, intercepting, and breaching internet traffic. For instance, Geedge recently won a government contract in Pakistan to replace equipment from the Canadian company Sandvine.
GoLaxy: Branding and Clientele
Another leak involved GoLaxy, which provided a 399-page document outlining sales presentations, business goals, and internal protocols. The company brands itself as “China’s number one in intelligence big data analysis” and serves three primary clients: the Communist Party, the government, and the military. Among its services, GoLaxy specializes in mapping connections between politicians and media entities and pushing narratives on social media using fake profiles. Notably, the demonstrations of its technology focus on sensitive geopolitical topics such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the U.S. elections.
Collaboration with Academia and Government
According to the investigation, both companies maintain a close relationship with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the country’s premier governmental research institution. Many technologies are developed from academic projects that have been commercialized, a trend familiar in the West, especially in the U.S. However, in China, this process occurs with a lack of transparency, and only in cases like this leak can we glimpse what happens behind the scenes.
Sales Targets and Comparisons to Cambridge Analytica
The leaked documents reveal clear sales targets. For example, GoLaxy set a goal of 42 million yuan (approximately $5.9 million) for contracts with government agencies in 2020. Its clientele includes military branches, security departments, and local law enforcement agencies.
One of the surprising comparisons made by GoLaxy was to “Cambridge Analytica,” the British company that harvested data from millions of Facebook users and was embroiled in the political turmoil surrounding the 2016 U.S. elections. In its document, the Chinese firm boasts of similar successes, emphasizing its influence on events such as Ukraine’s Orange Revolution and Brexit in the UK.
Conclusion: Understanding the Implications
These leaks shed light on a significant yet underreported aspect of China’s tech industry, revealing how closely surveillance and propaganda operations are linked to state power and international influence. As we move forward, understanding the implications of these practices becomes crucial in a global context where technology plays an ever-larger role in governance and public discourse.
