Blood tech: UK’s use of Israeli spyware that helps underpin a genocide
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The UK government is investing in Israeli-developed spyware despite its public criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Companies like Cellebrite and BriefCam, both with ties to Israel’s military, have provided technology used to monitor and detain Palestinians. The UK has purchased these tools for its police forces, raising ethical concerns about supporting practices linked to human rights violations.
Cellebrite, an Israeli firm known for bypassing device security, has supplied software to the UK police, including the City of London Police and Leicestershire Police. This technology has been used by Israel to extract data from Palestinians’ devices, often in contexts involving detention and torture. Despite allegations, Cellebrite claims its tools are forensic and require physical access, not remote hacking. However, rights groups warn that such tech is exported to authoritarian regimes for surveillance of activists and journalists.
BriefCam, acquired by Canon and Milestone Systems, provides video analysis software used by UK police forces like Cumbria Police and Police Scotland. Its technology allows law enforcement to condense hours of CCTV footage, potentially enabling mass surveillance. Founded by Israeli academics, BriefCam’s ties to Israel raise questions about its role in supporting military operations and human rights concerns.
The UK’s use of these tools highlights a broader ethical dilemma. While it criticizes Israel’s policies, it continues to support technologies implicated in Palestinian mistreatment. This raises concerns about global tech exports and their impact on human rights, particularly in conflict zones. The situation underscores the need for accountability in technology sales and their potential misuse.
This issue matters globally as nations grapple with balancing security needs and ethical responsibilities. It also highlights the role of private companies in shaping international conflicts through their products. As the UK invests
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026