BCSP Warns: Citizens Are Victims of Illegal Surveillance by the State

The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) strongly condemns the Serbian authorities’ misuse of digital technologies for surveillance of citizens, as detailed in the Amnesty International report “Digital Prison: Surveillance and Repression of Civil Society in Serbia.” BCSP demands an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into these serious allegations and the criminal prosecution of those responsible within the police and the Security and Information Agency. In a country where civil protests are growing in scale, and discontent with the regime is becoming louder, these practices represent a direct attack on fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and the right of association.

Digital Surveillance as a Weapon Against Protests

 Amid widespread civil protests across Serbia, the authorities are not only ignoring the legitimate demands of citizens but are also intensifying repression through digital surveillance. The report’s findings reveal that Serbian security institutions have systematically abused spyware tools like NoviSpy and Pegasus, as well as forensic tools like Cellebrite, for the illegal collection of data from the devices of journalists, activists, and citizens peacefully expressing dissent against the authorities. The NoviSpy spyware was installed on their devices during police interrogations, while Cellebrite technology was used to map social networks, intercept communications, and analyse the private data of protesters. This means that technologies developed to combat crime and that should be used to enhance citizen security are being employed by the Serbian government to silence citizens’ voices and intimidate those who dare to speak out.

Security institutions have also misused financial aid provided by Western partners to use advanced technology in the fight against organised crime. The report highlights the abuse of foreign donations that allowed Serbian authorities to access technologies like Cellebrite without adequate oversight or protective mechanisms. This raises repeated questions about how and for what purpose EU donations and those from other states are being spent. This case demonstrates that they are being used by the corrupt and authoritarian government in Serbia to suppress the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.

These repressive measures are part of a broader campaign to pressure civil society and aim to weaken our ability to fight for citizens’ rights and democracy. The domestic public first became aware of the illegal use of spyware in 2023 when BCSP was a direct target of digital surveillance through Pegasus spyware. Afterwards, the organisation was branded by regime-controlled media as a foreign mercenary, received an anonymous bomb threat, and was accused of acting against the interests of Serbia. However, despite all the attacks, BCSP will continue to defend the public interest and support citizens in their fight for the rule of law, democracy, and the protection of their rights.

Therefore, BCSP demands:

1. That the Serbian authorities immediately cease illegal digital surveillance and investigate all cases of abuse, including the responsibility of individuals in state institutions.
2. That the European Union seriously considers how the misuse of digital surveillance in Serbia affects the EU accession process, especially since Serbia is a candidate country for membership. Serbian authorities cannot expect a European future while systematically violating fundamental EU values such as the rule of law, human rights, and democratic freedoms. At the same time, the international community must increase support for civil society organisations, activists, and journalists so they can work without fear of surveillance and repression.
3. That Cellebrite and other companies producing digital surveillance tools suspend cooperation with the Serbian authorities until a legal and transparent framework for using their products is established.

Digital surveillance is the latest 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. BCSP continues to stand with all those fighting for freedom, justice, and democracy. The regime cannot suppress the will of the people—neither through violence in the streets nor through shadowy surveillance.