Serbian Authorities Hacking Activists' Phones with Spyware

Serbian Authorities Hacking Activists' Phones with Spyware

Amnesty International exposes a disturbing trend of Serbian authorities utilizing sophisticated hacking tools to target and surveil activists and journalists. In a chilling revelation, Amnesty International has unveiled a disturbing pattern of Serbian authorities employing advanced hacking techniques to infiltrate the digital lives of activists and journalists. The organization alleges that the state is leveraging Israeli-made Cellebrite tools, designed for legitimate forensic purposes, to gain unauthorized access to individuals' mobile devices and install invasive spyware. The Dark Side of Surveillance The report highlights a disturbing scenario where Serbian authorities, under various pretexts, detain activists and journalists. During these detentions, law enforcement officials seize their devices and subject them to intrusive procedures, including drug tests and psychological evaluations. These tactics serve as a smokescreen to buy valuable time, allowing authorities to install st…