Story perspectives

Governments Misuse Cellebrite Tech to Target Activists

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Citizen Lab reports governments misuse Cellebrite technology to extract data from activists' phones, including in Jordan.
The findings add to evidence of abuse by Cellebrite's clients and raise privacy concerns.
John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab says governments should not access data without just cause.
Cellebrite says it follows legal processes for data access.
Reports indicate Cellebrite's technology has targeted civil society members in Myanmar, Botswana, Serbia, and Belarus.

1 of 1

Story summary

Citizen Lab reports governments misuse Cellebrite technology to extract data from activists' phones, including in Jordan.
The findings add to evidence of abuse by Cellebrite's clients and raise privacy concerns.
John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab says governments should not access data without just cause.
Cellebrite says it follows legal processes for data access.
Reports indicate Cellebrite's technology has targeted civil society members in Myanmar, Botswana, Serbia, and Belarus.