A24: The Unknown Client in the Early Stages While leaked documents include specific locations and/or internet service providers linked to the named client countries in this report, data related to A24 does not include any of these indicators that could identify the client. The only clues about the identity of the A24 client is the first letter A and the year 2024. Aside from that, information indicates that, at the time of the leak, A24 and Geedge’s relationship appeared to be in its early stages. It involved two proof-of-concept deployments of the Geedge equipment, one in mirrored mode and the other in in-line mode, in order to clarify the difference between these modes to the client. Western Company Complicity While Western entities’ support and funding for ISPs operating in Geedge client countries may amount to tacit endorsement of Geedge’s censorship practices, one of the most troubling examples of direct Western complicity in Geedge’s internet control efforts is Sentinel HASP, a digital rights management solution. Sentinel HASP was initially developed by the small Maryland-based company Aladdin Knowledge Systems. This company was subsequently acquired by SafeNet, then Gemalto, and is currently owned by the French aerospace and defense giant Thales Group. 

 According to data from the leak, it is evident that Geedge Networks utilizes Sentinel HASP technology to enforce time-limited licenses on a subscription basis for the Tiangou Secure Gateway operating system. Specifically, this means that when the license period ends, the software will cease to function, effectively enabling Geedge to exert control over how long its clients can use their software. By selling Sentinel HASP technology to Geedge Networks, Thales is providing tools that enable Geedge’s operations of surveillance and censorship. This relationship highlights the role of Western companies in perpetuating online repression, even if indirectly. 
 We have contacted the Thales Group along with our consortium partners to ask for clarifications and we received an answer from them confirming that Geedge Networks is a customer of their company. 

 Additionally, they stated that "the Thales product Sentinel is a software licensing system designed to enable the monetization of software across various business models. However, Geedge Networks software does not rely on Sentinel to function. Thus, Sentinel does not contribute to the performance and functioning of Geedge Networks software and has nothing to do with the surveillance function of Geedge Networks' product.”* In the latter, the Thales Group also stated that their company follows strict guidelines to prevent the risk of serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms that could result from the misuse of its products and services. 
 *the original content of the answer was written in German and the quote above is a free translation. The full answer to the consortium's request sent on August 29 2025 can be found in the Annex.