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Cellebrite suspends Serbia as customer after claims police used firm’s tech toplant spyware
Cellebrite has suspended its services for Serbia following allegations that police misused its technology to unlock phones of a journalist and an activist, subsequently installing spyware. This action comes after an Amnesty International report accused Serbian authorities of such surveillance tactics.
Key points
- Cellebrite announced the suspension of its services to Serbia on Tuesday.
- Allegations arose that Serbian police used Cellebrite's technology to unlock phones of a journalist and an activist.
- After unlocking, Serbian authorities allegedly installed spyware called Novispy on the devices.
- This claim was detailed in a December 2024 report by Amnesty International.
- Cellebrite conducted an investigation following the report and decided to cease services to the relevant customers.
- Donncha Ó Cearbhaill from Amnesty emphasized the need for thorough investigations in Serbia.
Why it matters
- Cellebrite has faced scrutiny before for its role in surveillance technologies, reflecting ongoing debates in 2025 regarding digital privacy and state surveillance.
- This incident underscores the importance of ethical practices in technology companies amidst increasing demand for security solutions.
- The growing trend of government use of digital surveillance tools raises concerns about civil liberties and privacy, aligning with broader 2025 IT trends.
Cellebrite's decision to suspend services to Serbia is a significant step towards accountability, highlighting concerns over surveillance abuses and prompting necessary investigations in response to serious allegations.