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March 28, 2025 – Serbia –
In December 2024, Amnesty International released a report titled A Digital Prison, revealing that Serbian authorities have been employing sophisticated surveillance tools to monitor journalists, environmental activists, and civil society members. The report details the use of Israeli-made Cellebrite forensic extraction devices alongside a domestically developed spyware known as “NoviSpy.”
Cellebrite’s Universal Forensic Extraction Devices (UFEDs), initially provided to Serbia as part of international aid for combating organized crime, were reportedly misused to unlock and extract data from mobile devices without proper legal authorization. Once accessed, NoviSpy was installed, allowing authorities to covertly capture screenshots, access messages, and remotely activate microphones and cameras. Notably, independent journalist Slaviša Milanov and environmental activist Nikola Ristić were among those targeted during police detentions or interviews.
The surveillance campaign, allegedly orchestrated by Serbia’s Security Information Agency (BIA) and police forces, has raised significant concerns about privacy violations and the suppression of dissent. Activists reported experiencing trauma and a chilling effect on their communication due to the invasive monitoring.
In response to the findings, Cellebrite announced in February 2025 that it would halt the use of its digital forensic equipment for certain customers in Serbia, acknowledging the misuse of its technology. Human rights organizations have called for independent investigations into these surveillance practices and emphasized the need for stricter controls over the deployment of such technologies.
This situation underscores the broader challenges facing press freedom and civil liberties in Serbia. The misuse of surveillance tools not only infringes on individual rights but also threatens the foundational principles of a democratic society.
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