Cellebrite cut off Serbia citing abuse of its phone unlocking tools. Why not others? | TechCrunch
TechCrunch
by Lorenzo Franceschi-BicchieraiFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Cellebrite, a leading maker of phone unlocking and hacking tools, has faced scrutiny after suspending sales to Serbian authorities following allegations that their tools were misused to spy on journalists and activists. The decision was rare for the company, which typically avoids public accountability but cited Amnesty International's findings as justification. However, similar allegations in Jordan and Kenya have emerged, with researchers linking traces of Cellebrite-associated software to activist phones, yet the company has distanced itself from these cases.
The University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab reported that Kenyan authorities may have used Cellebrite tools to unlock Boniface Mwangi's phone while he was in custody. In Jordan, similar evidence tied to Cellebrite was found on activists' devices. While Cellebrite claims to enforce strict vetting and sales restrictions, they have not confirmed whether they will investigate these new cases or provide details about their approval process.
Cellebrite’s inconsistent response raises questions about their commitment to ethical practices. The company has previously cut ties with countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Russia, Belarus, and Hong Kong due to human rights concerns, but their handling of newer allegations remains unclear. Critics argue that transparency is crucial for rebuilding trust, especially in the tech industry where misuse of surveillance tools can have significant consequences.
This situation highlights the broader debate around accountability in tech, particularly for companies selling tools that enable government surveillance. The lack of clarity in Cellebrite’s approach underscores the need for stricter regulations and clearer guidelines to prevent such abuses.
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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/19/2026