Spy scandal in Serbia: activists and journalists in sight!

Spy scandal in Serbia: activists and journalists in sight!

Shocking revelations about the monitoring of activists and journalists in Serbia!

Amnesty International has published alarming information: The telephones of Serbian activists and journalists were hacked by the police and the secret Service with the help of Israeli spy software! These shocking accusations throw a bright light on the practices of the Serbian authorities and the associated data protection concerns.

The human rights organization reports that the software is used to illegally target journalists, environmental activists and other people in a secret surveillance campaign. Many of those affected had never been arrested or accused of what makes the situation even more worrying.

How did these revelations come about?

The case was started by the independent journalist Slavisa Milanov. After a supposedly routine traffic control in February, he was brought to the police. When he got his cell phone back, he found that both the data and WLAN settings were deactivated. Suspicious! Milanov turned to the security laboratory of Amnesty International, which confirmed its fears: Digital traces of Cellebrite technology were found on his Android device, which was used to unlock his cell phone.

But that's not all! Amnesty also discovered a previously unknown spy software called Novispy on Milanov. This software can not only steal data, but also grant unauthorized access to the microphone and camera of the cell phone. A massive risk of privacy!

The Serbian security authority Bia rejected the allegations and claimed that the forensic tools used are used by other police authorities worldwide. "We do not comment on nonsensical accusations," said the Bia in a statement.

The dark side of the surveillance

Amnesty International describes how the Serbian authorities use monitoring technologies and digital repression as a means of controlling and suppression civil society. "These technologies are incredibly effective to suppress communication between people," warned an activist who himself was the goal of espionage attacks. "Everything you say could be used against you - it paralyzes you both personally and professionally."

The reports on the use of spyware are not new. In recent years, numerous journalists and activists have become victims of such attacks worldwide. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations warn that such surveillance technologies serve to restrict the freedom of the press and create an atmosphere of fear.

The legal framework is complex. In Serbia, the constitution guarantees the confidentiality of communication, but the evaluation of data is permitted under certain conditions. Amnesty finds that the Serbian authorities may have violated these laws by accessing the data of the activists and journalists without judicial arrangement.

The international community observes these developments with concern. The use of spy software such as Novispy and Cellebrite could not only endanger the privacy of those affected, but also have far -reaching consequences for freedom of expression in Serbia.