The latest report published by Amnesty International revealed that security units in Serbia were monitoring activists and journalists by installing spyware on their mobile phones. It was claimed that forensic tools developed by the Israeli company Cellebrite were used in these monitoring activities. It was stated that the spyware in question transferred the data to state-controlled servers by taking screenshots from the devices and copying the contact lists.
The report claimed that Serbian authorities installed spyware called “Novispy” on the phones of civil society members they detained. This software transferred data to government-controlled servers by taking screenshots from devices and copying contact lists. On the other hand, it was also stated that some devices were compromised using a previously patched vulnerability from Qualcomm.
Amnesty International called on the Serbian government to end such surveillance practices. He also emphasized that Cellebrite and similar digital forensics companies must exercise due diligence to ensure that their products do not contribute to human rights violations. Cellebrite officials stated that their products are licensed only for legal uses and that they seriously examine such claims.
Pressures against journalists in Serbia have increased in recent years. It is reported that media members who criticize the government are especially targeted and tried to silence them through various pressure methods. This situation raises serious concerns for press freedom in the country.
Protecting human rights in the digital age is possible when governments, companies and individuals work collaboratively. This effort, which aims to protect not only online freedoms but also the security and rights of every individual living in the digital world, is a global responsibility.
These allegations in Serbia show once again that digital surveillance technologies can lead to human rights violations. Therefore, the international community and relevant institutions need to introduce stricter controls and regulations to prevent such practices.