This cross-border investigation reveals how Chinese tech company Geedge Networks exported sophisticated surveillance and censorship tools to a number of repressive regimes — including Myanmar, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and Pakistan — posing serious risks to journalists, activists and government critics in those countries.
Founded by computer scientist Fang Binxing, widely known as one of the architects of China’s Great Firewall, Geedge Networks did not respond to requests for comment. Neither did Fang personally, nor the relevant authorities in the countries involved.
The investigation reveals that Geedge’s global operations also relied on European support. The company used software from the French multinational Thales Group to manage its licences. While Thales confirmed Geedge Networks as a client, it said the Chinese firm’s software could function without its product and stressed that it had “nothing to do with the surveillance function” of Geedge’s systems.
The investigation also shows that Geedge Networks used a server located in Germany to distribute installation packages to clients worldwide. The German Ministry for Digital Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.
The investigation was based on a massive leak of confidential data from Geedge Networks, including its internal Jira and Confluence records.
An international team spanning eight countries analysed the material and combined it with open-source information. This process was time-consuming and challenging — not only because of the highly technical nature of the data, but also because it was primarily in Chinese, and a large portion consisted of screenshots and images. The files therefore had to be translated and made searchable before the investigation could proceed.
The collaboration was carried out by the German investigative newsroom Paper Trail Media, the Austrian daily Der Standard, the Dutch outlet Follow the Money, the Canadian newspaper The Globe & Mail in cooperation with the NGOs Amnesty International, InterSecLab, Tor Project and Justice for Myanmar.
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