In a significant development, a company has suspended the use of digital forensic tools in Serbia amid allegations by Amnesty International of misuse against journalists and activists. Amnesty International, welcoming this decision, highlighted that Serbian police have reportedly exploited Cellebrite’s technology beyond legally acceptable measures to monitor civil society and independent media voices critical of the government.
The human rights organisation stressed that this halt is merely a first step, urging the Serbian government to launch thorough investigations and ensure accountability for victims while enforcing protective measures. They also called on Cellebrite to fortify its diligent scrutiny in order to prevent future violations stemming from the utilisation of its products.
Amnesty’s report revealed the Serbian authorities’ employment of a tailored spyware dubbed NoviSpy, specifically targeting devices during detention and police inquiries, particularly against activists lodging complaints. Such tactics, the organisation contended, starkly contravene the principles of free speech and human rights, citing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Cellebrite, a firm headquartered in Israel, asserted its dedication to justice, asserting that its forensic tools are designed to aid lawful investigative pursuits, resisting labels of spyware or invasive surveillance. They acknowledged the concerns raised and announced the cessation of certain products’ usage by select clients in Serbia in light of these allegations.
The backdrop of this issue is Serbia’s current political turmoil, marked by ongoing anti-corruption protests ignited in 2024 after a tragic railway station disaster. Citizens are demanding the resignation and accountability of government officials, with student-led protests highlighting pressing civil rights infringements.
Cellebrite has halted the use of its digital forensic tools in Serbia as a response to Amnesty International’s allegations of misuse against journalists and activists. The organisation welcomed this decision, urging the government to investigate and provide accountability. Amnesty’s report highlights how the Serbian police misused technology to target civil society. Cellebrite affirmed its commitment to lawful investigations and suspended the product use for certain clients in Serbia amid ongoing political protests.
The suspension of Cellebrite’s digital forensic tools in Serbia marks a pivotal moment amidst ongoing human rights concerns. As Amnesty International exposes the misuse of such technology against journalists and civil activists, the call for accountability and protective measures resounds ever louder. The unfolding political landscape in Serbia, marked by protests against corruption, underlines the urgency of safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring justice for those affected by misuse of power.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
