The Belgrade Center for Security Policy (BCBP) strongly condemns the government's misuse of digital technologies for the surveillance of citizens, which is documented in detail in the Amnesty International and BIRN report "Digital Prison: Surveillance and Repression of Civil Society in Serbia".
BIRN's research and Amnesty International's forensic analysis revealed that the BIA, using Israeli Cellebrite technology, unlocked the phones of activists it called or brought in for interviews, and then installed the domestic spying program NoviSpy on those devices. They didn't just stop at collecting messages and contacts - they went into private photos, followed families, turned on cameras and microphones. This is a story told through the confessions of those from whom the BIA took not only their data, but also their freedom
Therefore, the BCBP demands an urgent, transparent and independent investigation into these serious allegations, as well as the criminal prosecution of those responsible from the police and the Security Intelligence Agency.
"In a country where civil protests are becoming more massive and dissatisfaction with the regime more vocal, these practices represent a direct attack on citizens' basic liberties, including the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and association."
Digital surveillance as a weapon against protests
As they state, in the wake of civil protests throughout Serbia, the authorities not only ignore the legitimate demands of citizens but also intensify repression through digital surveillance.
The report's findings reveal that Serbia's security institutions systematically misused spy software, such as NoviSpy and Pegasus, as well as the forensic tool Cellebrite, to illegally collect data from the devices of journalists, activists and citizens who peacefully express their disagreement with the authorities.
"NoviSpy spyware was installed on their devices during police interrogations, while Cellebrite forensic technology was used to map social networks, intercept communications and analyze protesters' private data." This means that technologies that were developed to fight crime and that should be used to improve the safety of citizens, the government in Serbia is using to suppress the voices of citizens and intimidate everyone who dares to speak," they explain.
The report points to the abuse of donations coming from abroad, which allowed the Serbian authorities access to technologies like Cellebrite without adequate checks and safeguards.
"For the umpteenth time, this raises questions about how and for what purpose donations from the EU, its members and other countries are spent." This case shows that they are used by the corrupt and authoritarian government in Serbia to stifle the basic rights and freedoms of citizens."
Repressive measures
These repressive measures of the regime are part of a wider campaign of pressure on civil society and aim to weaken citizens' ability to fight for citizens' rights and democracy, they say.
The domestic public first became aware of the illegal use of spyware in 2023 when the BCBP was the direct target of an attempted digital surveillance by the Pegasus spyware.
After that, the organization was labeled as a foreign mercenary by the regime media, received an anonymous bomb threat and was accused of fighting against the interests of Serbia.
BCBP says that it will continue to defend the public interest and supports citizens in the fight for the rule of law, democracy and respect for their rights.
Therefore, they require:
That Serbian authorities immediately stop illegal digital surveillance and investigate all cases of abuse, including the responsibility of individuals in state institutions.
That the European Union seriously consider how the misuse of digital surveillance in Serbia affects the process of European integration, especially since Serbia is a candidate country for EU membership. The authorities of Serbia cannot expect a European future while systematically violating the basic values of the EU, such as the rule of law, human rights and democratic freedoms. At the same time, the international community must step up support for civil society organizations, activists and journalists so that they can work without fear of surveillance and repression.
That Cellebrite and other companies that produce digital surveillance tools cease cooperation with the Serbian authorities until a legal and transparent framework for the use of their products is established.
"Digital surveillance is the newest weapon of repression in the hands of the Serbian regime, but as in the past, the citizens of Serbia will not be silenced this time either," they conclude in the announcement.
BCBP says that it continues to stand with all those who fight for freedom, justice and democracy.
