The Software which known as FinSpy and its different versions are manufactured by a German firm Gamma International. Gamma International is a renowned company which develops powerful software for companies to monitor computers use. According the first reports about this huge leak published by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), “Gamma has offices and subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, including the Channel Islands, and Germany, but also in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.” RWB says “Gamma International sells interception equipment to government and law enforcement agencies exclusively.” It gave examples of how governments use FinFisher spyware products to monitor activities. The spyware, FinSpy is essentially a malware and once the computers are infected, it allows widespread access to computer records, including extracting files from hard drives, grabbing images of computer screens, full Skype monitoring, logging keystrokes and monitoring email and chat communications. In normal scenario any malware has to be infected but in this case, the government themselves are creating the backdoor by installing this malware without the knowledge of the end user, the citizen of that country. Another source added that, These are the countries who bought the FinSpy software from Gamma international Australia (New South Wales Police) : The NSW government reportedly paid 2 million USD to buy this software. It was used by the NSW police to spy on NSW citizens using a special type of covert search warrant. This search warrant is not disclosed to the intended victim and is obtained from an “eligible judge” of the supreme court. South Africa : South Africa reportedly paid €2,021,400 to Gamma International to implement this software to spy on South African dissidents. Pakistan : Pakistan reported purchased all the three versions from Gamma International. The FinSpy for €396,900, FinFly USB software for €4620 and the FinIntrusion Kit €30600. In total it paid around €432000 to spy on its citizens. The software was probably used to spy on the political opponents of the ruling regime. Qatar : The Kingdom of Qatar is perhaps a the biggest customer of Gamma International after South Africa and has been using FinSpy and its versions since 2011. It has paid upto € 1.790,580 to Gamma International to spy persons whom Qataris ruling junta considers problematic. Bahrain : The adjoining Kingdom of Bahrain is not far behind Qatar in spying on Bahrainis. It purchased the FinSpy and its ancillary software for € 855,660. Mongolia : This landlocked country has also been at the forefront of spying on its citizens. It bought € 1,346,460 worth of spying software from Gamma when 22.4% of its population lives on less than US$1.25 a day. Vietnam : Ruled by a communist regime Vietnam spent € 805,200 buying the mobile version of the software called FinSpy mobile mostly to spy on political dissidents. Nigeria : Nigeria, an impoverished African country which has been fighting a bloody war against Boko Haram had spent € 700,000 for buying this software to spy on its citizens. Bangladesh : This South Asian country is also a customer of Gamma International. Bangladeshi Government spent nearly € 850,000 on FinSpy to spy on the main opposition parties by the ruling regime. European nations like Italy, Slovakia, Belgium, Hungary and Bosnia are also prominent buyers of this malware. Together they spent € 500,000 to spy on their private citizens who were mostly journalists, political opponents and dissidents. Netherlands police force, Korps landelijke politiediensten or KLPD as its called, is also a buyer of this software since 2012. It has spent € 2,300,000 to keep tabs on the Dutch citizens. Singapore : The Singapore company which is said to have purchased the products is apparently PCS Security Pte Ltd, which was incorporated in 1998, and headed by five Singaporeans. The full customer lists are published by Wikileaks here
