Serbian authorities are reportedly hacking and installing spyware on activists’ phones.

Amnesty International has reported that Serbian authorities are hacking the phones of activists and journalists, using tools developed by the Israeli company Cellebrite. These tools, intended for forensic purposes, are reportedly being misused to install spyware and track individuals unlawfully.

The report highlights that Serbian police have detained civil society members and journalists on false pretenses, such as requiring drug tests or psych evaluations, to prolong detention and gain access to their devices. During this period, authorities reportedly used Cellebrite tools to hack into the phones and installed spyware called Novispy, believed to be state-developed. Amnesty states that some devices were hacked through a now-patched Qualcomm vulnerability.

One notable case involved Serbian news outlet FAR. Deputy editor Slaviša Milanov and the editor-in-chief were detained after being stopped by police. Their phones were confiscated and, upon return, they noticed irregularities, such as toggled settings and unusual battery drain. Milanov’s Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S device was reportedly running additional software, and police extracted 1.6GB of data, despite him not sharing his password.

Amnesty International calls on the Serbian government to cease these surveillance practices, provide redress to victims, and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations. The organization also urges Cellebrite and other digital forensic companies to ensure their tools are not used for unlawful purposes.

Cellebrite senior director Victor Cooper responded, stating that their products are strictly licensed for lawful use under a warrant or legal investigation. Cooper added that Cellebrite is investigating the “alleged misuse” of its tools and is prepared to impose sanctions against any agency found violating its end-user agreements.

Amnesty International stresses that such invasive surveillance practices violate privacy and threaten civil liberties, calling for urgent accountability and transparency.