Israeli firm Cellebrite has announced the termination of its software licensing in Serbia, following an Amnesty International investigation that uncovered the technology’s use for unlawful access to civilians’ mobile devices.
According to Amnesty International’s report, Serbian authorities have systematically deployed Cellebrite’s tools to monitor activists, journalists, and civil society representatives. One such case involved journalist Slaviša Milanov, whose phone was infected with spyware after his arrest by police. Experts determined that the device was compromised without requiring a password.
Cellebrite stated that it routinely reassesses its partnerships with government entities, taking into account political and cultural contexts. Following an internal review, the company concluded that further collaboration with Serbia was no longer viable. In its official statement, Cellebrite emphasized its commitment to the lawful and ethical use of its technologies.
In recent years, Serbia has faced mounting accusations of repressing independent media and civil rights activists. In December 2024, several Serbian NGOs filed complaints against police and security officials, citing Amnesty International’s findings on the use of surveillance technology against journalists and activists.
According to Freedom House, Serbia lost its democratic status entirely by 2019 and has continued its slide toward authoritarian rule. A recent raid by Serbian authorities on the offices of four civil organizations, accused of misusing USAID funding, was widely interpreted as a further escalation of pressure on independent institutions.
The International Fact-Checking Network condemned these actions, calling them an attempt to intimidate and discredit civil society organizations. Amnesty International has urged a full ban on the export of digital forensics and surveillance technologies to Serbia until an independent oversight mechanism is established to regulate their use.
