Breaking: Authorities Unleash Digital Chains - How Serbias Secret Malware Program Silences Activists And Journalists

Cellebrite’s Dark Secret: How Authorities Exploited Mobile Phones for Malware

Human rights organization Amnesty International has exposed a disturbing practice by authorities in Serbia, utilizing Cellebrite tools to unlock mobile phones, only to infect them with potent malware. This sinister tactic has been used to target activists and journalists, raising serious concerns about the erosion of digital rights and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

The use of Cellebrite devices, typically designed to unlock or extract data from phones in authorities’ physical possession, has been repurposed to install active surveillance technology. This allows authorities to secretly install malware on the compromised devices, which can then be used to monitor and control the targets. The report highlights the vulnerability of Android phones, which Cellebrite was exploiting, and the subsequent discovery of a widespread vulnerability by Amnesty and researchers at Google.

The impact of this exploitation is far-reaching, with Qualcomm, the manufacturer of the affected chip, having since fixed the vulnerability. However, the damage has already been done, with Google remotely wiping the spyware from other infected devices. This raises questions about the responsibility of technology companies and governments to protect users’ digital rights and prevent such exploitation.

The use of Cellebrite devices to install malware on mobile phones is a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance technology. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that we prioritize the protection of individual rights and freedoms, and hold those in power accountable for their actions. The exploitation of this vulnerability by authorities in Serbia underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between technology companies, governments, and human rights organizations to safeguard digital rights and prevent such abuses.