The internet’s ‘corporate enemies’

Reporters Without Borders is out with its annual "Enemies of the Internet" report. The countries it highlights — Bahrain, China, Iran, Syria, Vietnam — are a familiar group. But this year, the group also highlighted five "private-sector companies that are “digital era mercenaries”" who "sell products that are liable to be used by governments to violate ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.

Reporters Without Borders is out with its annual "Enemies of the Internet" report. The countries it highlights -- Bahrain, China, Iran, Syria, Vietnam -- are a familiar group. But this year, the group also highlighted five "private-sector companies that are “digital era mercenaries”" who "sell products that are liable to be used by governments to violate human rights and freedom of information".

Reporters Without Borders is out with its annual "Enemies of the Internet" report. The countries it highlights — Bahrain, China, Iran, Syria, Vietnam — are a familiar group. But this year, the group also highlighted five "private-sector companies that are “digital era mercenaries”" who "sell products that are liable to be used by governments to violate human rights and freedom of information".

The five "corporate enemies are:

  • Amesys, a French firm accused of selling spyware to Muammar al-Qaddafi’s government
  • Blue Coat, a U.S. online security firm that has sold filtering software to governments like Burma and Syria
  • British/German Gamma International, which has been accused of providing surveillance equipment to Bahrain and Egypt
  • Hacking Team,  which is based in Italy and has reportedly provided anti-encryptian software to government including Morocco and the United Arab Emirates
  • Trovicor, a Germany-based firm formerly known as Nokia Siemens Networks, which produces interception equipement and has been questioned by the European Parliament over its dealings with Iran, Syria, and Bahrain

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.