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 state-developed spyware like "Novispy" onto the victims' phones.
In some instances, zero-day vulnerabilities, such as the infamous Qualcomm exploit, have been exploited to compromise devices. This level of sophistication underscores the extent to which the Serbian government is willing to go to silence dissent and monitor its citizens.
A Case Study: The Targeting of Journalists
One such case involves Slaviša Milanov, deputy editor of the Serbian news outlet FAR. Milanov and the editor-in-chief were detained by authorities and had their phones confiscated. Upon returning the devices, the journalists noticed significant changes, including disabled data and Wi-Fi settings and unusually high energy consumption by certain apps.
A forensic analysis revealed that Milanov's Android device had been infected with additional software. Furthermore, the police had extracted a substantial amount of data, despite the fact that the device was password-protected.
Cellebrite's Response
Cellebrite, the Israeli company that provides the hacking tools used in these operations, has responded to the allegations. The company maintains that its products are intended for lawful use and are subject to strict licensing agreements. However, the misuse of these tools by state actors raises serious ethical concerns and highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability.
The Implications of State-Sponsored Surveillance
The revelations from Amnesty International underscore the grave threat posed by state-sponsored surveillance. Such practices not only violate fundamental human rights, but also undermine democratic principles and freedom of expression.
As technology continues to advance, it is imperative that governments and technology companies work together to protect individuals' privacy and security. This includes implementing robust safeguards to prevent the misuse of surveillance tools and ensuring transparency in the use of such technologies.
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