Clash over Surveillance Software Turns Personal in Germany

I'm always wondering how the software developers of FinFisher justify working for such shady players like Turkey and other middle east authoritarian regimes. Are they heading home to family and kids after destroying the remnants of the turkish democracy and tell themselves "twas a good day"?

Re: Clash over Surveillance Software Turns Personal in Germany

#7

Post by philpem » Mon, Oct 14, 2019, 8:31 AM UTC

sveme wrote: post #6

I'm always wondering how the software developers of FinFisher justify working for such shady players like Turkey and other middle east authoritarian regimes. Are they heading home to family and kids after destroying the remnants of the turkish democracy and tell themselves "twas a good day"?

More likely "I've been paid, I don't care".

Re: Clash over Surveillance Software Turns Personal in Germany

#8

Post by wolfgke » Mon, Oct 14, 2019, 8:33 AM UTC

sveme wrote: post #6

I'm always wondering how the software developers of FinFisher justify working for such shady players like Turkey and other middle east authoritarian regimes. Are they heading home to family and kids after destroying the remnants of the turkish democracy and tell themselves "twas a good day"?

In Germany (where I live), the job market for software developers is not that you can arbitrarily choose for whom you want to work; you have to take the job that you can get (and I know quite some people (in Germany) who work in software development who would love to find a better job).

So I personally believe that these people simply could not find a better job with less moral dilemmas.

Re: Clash over Surveillance Software Turns Personal in Germany

#9

Post by endymi0n » Mon, Oct 14, 2019, 8:40 AM UTC

wolfgke wrote: post #8

sveme wrote: post #6

I'm always wondering how the software developers of FinFisher justify working for such shady players like Turkey and other middle east authoritarian regimes. Are they heading home to family and kids after destroying the remnants of the turkish democracy and tell themselves "twas a good day"?

In Germany (where I live), the job market for software developers is not that you can arbitrarily choose for whom you want to work; you have to take the job that you can get (and I know quite some people (in Germany) who work in software development who would love to find a better job). So I personally believe that these people simply could not find a better job with less moral dilemmas.

I‘m sceptical. 20 recruiters on my LinkedIn profile per month would disagree. I‘ve turned in my notice more than once in Germany and literally had a job offer a day later.

Re: Clash over Surveillance Software Turns Personal in Germany

#10

Post by oh_sigh » Mon, Oct 14, 2019, 8:44 AM UTC

sveme wrote: post #6

I'm always wondering how the software developers of FinFisher justify working for such shady players like Turkey and other middle east authoritarian regimes. Are they heading home to family and kids after destroying the remnants of the turkish democracy and tell themselves "twas a good day"?

Well, the company claims that the allegations are false and they aren't working with the Turkish government without an export license.