News
Open Letter: Serbian authorities must prosecute illegal hacking of journalists and activists
Today, 19 December, European Digital Rights (EDRi) and 50 organisations urge the European Union’s institutions to take action to stop the Serbian authorities’ illegal use of spyware to target journalists, activists, and members of civil society.
On 16 December, Amnesty International released a report exposing widespread abuses by the Serbian police and Security Information Agency (BIA) through the use of spyware such as NoviSpy. Activists, journalists, and civil society members were targeted, with their phones infected during interrogations or when confiscated. These actions flagrantly violate Serbian laws and fundamental rights.
This scandal is happening in parallel with the general deterioration of the human rights situation and rule of law in Serbia. Journalists, activists, and civil society members face increasing arrests, intimidation, and repression, further threatening fundamental freedoms.
We therefore call upon the European Union institutions to:
- Urge the Serbian Government to adhere to its own legal framework and immediately cease the illegal use of NoviSpy and other spyware, which disproportionately interferes with fundamental rights, and for which there are no adequate safeguards to prevent and redress harms to human rights.
- Urge the Serbian Authorities to halt the crackdown on civil rights and liberties, including arrests and intimidation of journalists, activists and protestors.
- Urge the Special prosecutor’s office for High Tech crimes to investigate the circumstances under which spyware was used against activists in Serbia, and to make sure that remedies are available and accessible for victims, including guarantees of and protection against repetition.
- Urge Serbian independent institutions (Ombudsman and Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection) to investigate the circumstances under which spyware was used against activists in Serbia.
Related content
Apply for the 2024 Digital Rights Summer School!
The applications for the 2024 Digital Rights Summer School in Perast, Montenegro are now open! The School takes place from 25 to 31 August 2024, and this year’s program is designed for enthusiasts based in Southeast Europe, who are passionate about digital rights and eager to learn more about the latest developments in this field. During […]
15. April, 2024.
MUP and BIA illegally hacking phones of activists and journalists
Proven use of spyware and forensic tools contrary to law The use of spyware represents a serious attack on human rights, freedom of expression and privacy of citizens. In Serbia its use is becoming a common practice. A new report by Amnesty International indicates widespread use of spyware against activists, journalists and members of civil society by […]
16. December, 2024.
A Password Pandemic. How did a COVID-19 password end up online?
The username and password to access the Covid – 19 Information System were publicly available on a health institution’s web page for eight days. This period of time was long enough for the page to be indexed by Google and, although invisible on the web page, it was accessible through a simple search. After discovering the matter […]
20. April, 2020.