Cellebrite Shuts Down Serbia: Spyware Scandal Sparks a Forensic Fallout
Cellebrite blocked Serbia from using its solution after reports of police using it to unlock and spy on journalists’ phones. Amnesty International found that Serbian authorities used Cellebrite tools to install NoviSpy malware, prompting the company to revoke access. Serbia denies the claims, calling the report “absolutely incorrect.”
Hot Take:
Well, it looks like Serbia’s police force took a page out of the “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” playbook by using Cellebrite’s tech as their personal spy gadget. When your forensic tools start moonlighting as a James Bond villain’s toolkit, you know you’ve got a problem. Kudos to Cellebrite for pulling the plug on Serbia’s tech privileges faster than a kid caught sneaking cookies before dinner.
Key Points:
- Cellebrite blocked Serbia from using its forensics tools after misuse for political surveillance.
- The Serbian police allegedly used the NoviSpy malware to monitor journalists and activists.
- Amnesty International’s report linked Cellebrite tools to unauthorized phone access.
- Cellebrite suspended services to Serbia, citing ethical and integrity policies.
- Amnesty International calls for a halt to surveillance tech exports to Serbia until oversight is improved.
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