Cellebrite Cuts Serbia Off Over Alleged Phone-Cracking Abuses

Israeli digital forensics firm Cellebrite has terminated Serbia’s access to its phone-unlocking technology following allegations of misuse against civil society.

 

The decision follows a December report by Amnesty International, which claimed Serbian authorities had used Cellebrite’s tools to unlawfully break into civilians’ phones and install spyware. The report accused Serbia of systematically deploying the technology against activists and journalists.

 

Cellebrite stated on Wednesday that it regularly reviews its partnerships based on political and cultural shifts. After investigating Amnesty’s findings, the company determined it could no longer license its software to Serbia.

 

“The ethical, judicial and lawful use of our technology is paramount to our mission of accelerating justice and saving lives,” Cellebrite said. It added that its compliance programme ensures its tools are used “ethically and lawfully” by democratic nations.

 

Serbia has faced growing criticism for its authoritarian policies, with Freedom House recently warning of an “entrenchment of authoritarian rule.” Government crackdowns on dissidents and independent media have intensified, with authorities raiding multiple civil society organisations on Tuesday over alleged financial misconduct.

 

Amnesty’s report detailed how investigative journalist Slaviša Milanov had his phone infected with spyware after being detained at a police station in February. Experts later found traces of a Cellebrite product and Serbian-made spyware on his device. Milanov said police never requested his passcode nor informed him his phone was being searched.

 

In response to Cellebrite’s decision, Amnesty urged the company to strengthen safeguards against misuse.

“Cellebrite must revamp its due diligence to prevent its tools from enabling human rights abuses,” said Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, head of Amnesty’s Security Lab.

 

Amnesty has called for a halt to all digital forensics exports to Serbia until independent oversight mechanisms are in place.