Cellebrite Suspends Serbia as Customer After Claims Police Used Firm's Tech To Plant Spyware

In a shocking turn of events, Cellebrite, a leading provider of digital forensics and mobile device management solutions, has suspended its services to the Serbian government following allegations that its technology was used to plant spyware on the phones of a local journalist and an activist.

According to a report published by Amnesty International in December 2024, Serbian police had allegedly used Cellebrite's forensics tools to hack into the cellphones of a prominent journalist and an anti-government activist. Once their phones were unlocked, Serbian authorities then installed an Android spyware called Novispy, which was used to continue surveilling the two individuals.

The allegations sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and governments around the world, who expressed outrage at the use of spyware to silence critics and suppress dissent. Cellebrite, however, took a more measured approach, stating that it had "taken precise steps to investigate each claim in accordance with our ethics and integrity policies."

"After a review of the allegations brought forth by the December 2024 Amnesty International report, Cellebrite found it appropriate to stop the use of our products by the relevant customers at this time," said a statement from the company. "We take the protection of human rights and the integrity of our technology very seriously."

The decision marks a significant blow to Cellebrite's reputation in the industry, which has long been built on its reputation for providing reliable and secure digital forensics solutions. However, it also highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight in the use of spyware by governments around the world.