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ANNEX Annex The consortium partners, including InterSecLab, contacted Geedge Networks, the government clients, the ISPs, western investors of the ISPs as well as any other companies referenced in this report. We asked them questions related to their involvement with Geedge Networks as well as about their due diligence processes focused on preventing violations of human rights. Geedge Networks did not respond to our request. No representatives from the governments of Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Myanmar responded to our requests. For the companies that responded the request for comments, we are sharing their letters below. Thales Group August 29, 2025 Wir können bestäQgen, dass Geedge Networks ein Kunde unseres Unternehmens ist. Das Thales- Produkt SenQnel ist ein SoWware-Lizenzierungssystem, das entwickelt wurde, um die Monetarisierung von SoWware über verschiedene GeschäWsmodelle zu ermöglichen. Die Geedge Networks SoWware ist jedoch nicht auf SenQnel angewiesen, um zu funkQonieren. Somit trägt SenQnel nicht zur Leistung und zum FunkQonieren von Geedge Networks SoWware bei und hat nichts mit der ÜberwachungsfunkQon des Produkts von Geedge Networks zu tun.   Die Thales-Gruppe folgt strengen Richtlinien, um das Risiko schwerwiegender Verletzungen der Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten zu verhindern, die durch den Missbrauch ihrer Produkte und Dienstleistungen entstehen könnten. AppLogic Networks (regard Sandvine) August 22, 2025 As you are aware, internet-related technologies can be used responsibly, including for ensuring the effective operability of the internet by, for example, blocking malicious traffic, and other legitimate and lawful purposes. Sandvine Corporation (Sandvine) has not and does not support the misuse of its products and prohibited the use of its products to violate law, regulations, and internationally recognized human rights standards, among other things.  AppLogic Networks is independent from its predecessor, Sandvine (see Sandvine emerges as AppLogic Networks). AppLogic Networks provides software in democratically focused jurisdictions with a consistent, demonstrable commitment to internet freedom and strong rule of law protections and does not provide or sell hardware. Pursuant to a transfer services agreement, AppLogic Networks provides certain services to Sandvine and thus is engaged in this response. In or around 2017, Sandvine sold hardware and software through one or more partners for use and/or deployment in Pakistan.

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The Internet Coup A Technical Analysis on How a Chinese Company is Exporting The Great Firewall to Autocratic Regimes

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English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions

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INTER SECLAB

Date Published: Sep 9, 2025

Abstract: Over the past two decades, the Chinese government has been steadily refining their model of internet control using surveillance and censorship technologies domestically while promoting this approach to other nations under the banner of “digital sovereignty”. Through the export of these technologies, China is not only extending its global influence but also laying the foundation for a federated system of internet governance. In this system, Chinese companies provide the infrastructure and expertise for client governments to more easily monitor and control their own networks, while learning from these deployments and improving collective capacity for digital authoritarianism worldwide.

This research by InterSecLab uncovers evidence of the export of a suite of technologies resembling China’s Great Firewall by Geedge Networks, a private company linked to the academic entity ‘Massive and Effective Stream Analysis’ (Mesalab), a research laboratory at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Our team’s investigation identifies a pattern of commercialization of surveillance capabilities, with Geedge Networks offering a suite of products that enable comprehensive monitoring and control of internet users.

InterSecLab’s analysis reveals that Geedge Networks is contracted with governments in Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Myanmar, and one other unknown country to establish sophisticated systems of internet censorship and surveillance. Furthermore, our findings indicate that Geedge Networks is also involved in developing similar systems deployed within China, including in Xinjiang and other regions.

Based on analysis of a leak of more than 100,000 Geedge Networks documents that was shared with InterSecLab, this research sheds light on the features and capabilities of Geedge Networks’ systems, which include deep packet inspection, real-time monitoring of mobile subscribers, granular control over internet traffic, as well as censorship rules that can be tailored to each region. The leak also reveals information about Geedge Networks’ relationship with the academic entity, Mesalab, as well as their interactions with client governments. The implications for data sovereignty are significant, and our findings raise concerns about the commoditization of surveillance and information control technologies.

This research examines the recent development of Geedge Networks’ systems in various countries, including what is known about their deployment timelines. By analyzing the company’s internal documentation, InterSecLab was able to chronicle the expansion of commercially available national firewalls and speculate about the implications for the future of the global internet considering the spread of such systems.

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The Internet Coup A Technical Analysis on How a Chinese Company is Exporting The Great Firewall to Autocratic Regimes

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