Introduction to China’s Shadow Tech Industry
In a recent exposé, leaked internal documents from two lesser-known Chinese companies, Geedge Networks and GoLaxy, unveil a hidden and underreported segment of the technology sector in Beijing. This investigation, published by Wired, highlights their involvement in exporting and marketing censorship, surveillance, and propaganda tools.
Digital Surveillance and Censorship Services
According to the leaked documents, Geedge Networks and GoLaxy offer services categorized as “digital monitoring and suppression.” These include systems capable of intercepting internet traffic, gathering data from social media, generating fake narratives, and disseminating them across the web. This aligns with the growing concern over surveillance practices and censorship originating from Chinese tech companies.
AI-Powered Propaganda Production
The documents reveal advanced technologies utilized for creating propaganda, suggesting a significant investment in artificial intelligence. Geedge, for example, markets a commercial version of a Chinese firewall software to countries like Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar. This software not only monitors but also intercepts and breaches internet traffic, raising serious ethical questions about its use in authoritarian regimes.
Corporate Structure and Market Strategies
Despite the strong oversight of the Chinese Communist Party, these companies operate similarly to surveillance and propaganda firms in the West. They engage in research and development collaborations with academic institutions, pursue government contracts, and face quarterly sales pressure, indicating a corporate ethos driven by profit and political alignment.
GoLaxy’s Operations and Market Position
Another revealing leak from GoLaxy includes a comprehensive 399-page document detailing sales presentations, business objectives, and internal protocols. This company positions itself as the “number one big data intelligence analysis company” in China and serves three primary clients: the Chinese Communist Party, the government, and the military. Their expertise lies in mapping connections between politicians and media entities and pushing narratives on social media using fake profiles.
Collaboration with Academia and Government Contracts
The investigation notes a close relationship between these companies and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the country’s leading government research institution. Various technologies developed from academic projects are commercialized, mirroring practices observed in the West. However, in China, this process lacks transparency, making the industry’s practices largely hidden until incidents like this leak occur.
Sales Targets and Global Comparisons
Specific sales targets further illustrate the business strategies of these firms. GoLaxy, for instance, set a contract target of 42 million yuan (approximately $5.9 million) with government agencies for 2020, serving military branches, security departments, and local police forces. One startling comparison made within GoLaxy’s own documents likens its achievements to those of Cambridge Analytica, the British firm embroiled in the 2016 U.S. elections scandal, boasting about its influence on significant events like the Orange Revolution in Ukraine and Brexit in the UK.
Conclusion: The Implications of Shadow Exports
The revelations about Geedge Networks and GoLaxy raise significant questions about the ethics of tech exports from China and the implications for global security and human rights. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, understanding the dark underbelly of the Chinese tech industry is crucial for recognizing and addressing the threats posed by digital surveillance and propaganda.
