New Delhi, Oct 10 (NationPress) China has developed an extensive surveillance and propaganda apparatus that intertwines stringent political control with contemporary business aspirations, as revealed by recently leaked internal documents.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has allegedly transformed its enduring system of censorship and monitoring into a lucrative model, with private firms creating and marketing tools aimed at controlling information and shaping public opinion, according to Mekong News.

Over 500GB of leaked data from two Chinese corporations, Geedge Networks and GoLaxy, have unveiled the vastness and ambition of this surveillance sector.

These companies don’t merely serve the government -- they vie for contracts, innovate new monitoring methods, and even export their technologies to other nations, the report highlights.

Geedge Networks, which markets itself as a cybersecurity entity, has been found to play a significant role in China’s online censorship efforts.

Its flagship product, the Tiangou Secure Gateway, boasts advanced tracking and monitoring capabilities. It can scrutinize data packets, obstruct VPNs, identify devices, and analyze user metadata.

One of its most contentious features is a “reputation-based access control” system that evaluates users based on their online behavior and can restrict their internet access accordingly.

Experts characterize this as a form of “behavioral engineering,” where individuals’ online actions are influenced by technology-induced limitations, as per the report.

What heightens concerns is its scalability -- Geedge’s systems are crafted for use not just by the Chinese government but also by local administrations and foreign clients.

Reports indicate that nations such as Pakistan, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, and Ethiopia have already utilized or licensed these systems under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

On the other hand, GoLaxy, another Chinese enterprise, specializes in digital propaganda. It employs artificial intelligence to monitor social media activity, pinpoint key influencers, and orchestrate coordinated online campaigns.

The leaked documents demonstrate that GoLaxy’s technology can disseminate disinformation, advocate pro-China viewpoints, and undermine critics.

It can fabricate public support through fictitious online engagement, making propaganda seem authentic, as reported by Mekong News.

This fusion of surveillance and propaganda illustrates how China’s control tactics have advanced in the digital age.

The CCP’s messaging has expanded beyond traditional state media; it's now driven by algorithms and artificial intelligence.

Analysts argue that these revelations are particularly alarming due to China’s increasing export of such tools.

Several nations experiencing political turmoil or seeking greater control over their populations are reportedly procuring Chinese-made surveillance and propaganda technologies.

The leaked files also indicate that in China, companies in this sector are incentivized not only for technological advancements but also for their political allegiance.

Party affiliations and ideological loyalty often dictate who receives contracts. This has fostered what experts term a “techno-authoritarian feedback loop” -- as firms strive to impress the CCP, they develop increasingly potent tools for censorship and oppression.

This model represents a significant challenge to democratic countries. It reveals that contemporary authoritarianism can be not only profitable but also efficient and exportable, as noted in the report.

China’s surveillance sector has evolved into a commercial enterprise, effectively marketing “repression as a service” to the global market.