Amnesty International recently expressed approval for the decision to cease the use of digital forensic tools in Serbia by some entities following allegations of misuse. This outcome comes after claims that the technology was being improperly deployed against journalists and activists. Amnesty has articulated that the Serbian police and intelligence services were allegedly deviating from legally sanctioned procedures in their utilization of Cellebrite’s forensic tools to target individuals critical of the government, thus reinforcing the organization’s findings. Amnesty International further urged the Serbian government to undertake comprehensive investigations, facilitate accountability, and establish measures to safeguard against misuse.
The focal point of Amnesty’s investigation pertains to the deployment of Cellebrite’s advanced spyware technology in law enforcement activities, as elaborated in their report published in December 2024. The report revealed that Serbian authorities employed a custom Android spyware system named NoviSpy to compromise the devices of individuals during detentions or police interviews, suggesting that such practices infringe upon freedom of expression and human rights, as dictated by Article 19(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Cellebrite, headquartered in Israel, publicly responded by asserting its dedication to promoting justice and reaffirmed that its technology is designed to support lawful investigations rather than any form of surveillance or offensive cyber activities. In response to Amnesty International’s findings, the company investigated these allegations and decided to prohibit the use of its tools by certain Serbian customers. For further details on Cellebrite’s stance, you can visit the company’s statement.
Serbia is currently experiencing political instability, exacerbated by anti-corruption protests that began in 2024. Demonstrators have demanded the resignation and prosecution of key government figures, with initial unrest sparked by a tragic railway station collapse. In January, student protesters gathered at the Serbian Supreme Court to contest civil rights violations, as reported here.