Cellebrite

Sold to:

Also Operates in:
Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cechnya, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Poland, The Seychelles, Tanzania

Main Products:

Physical Analyzer

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Cellebrite

General Information

Cellebrite is an  Israeli digital intelligence company that provides tools for collection, analysis, and management of digital data. It was founded in 1999 and has its headquarters in Petah Tikva, Israel.

Cellebrite’s mobile forensics division was established in 2007 and produces digital forensics and intelligence tools for use by law enforcement, intelligence agencies, military branches, corporate security and investigations, law firms, and private digital forensic examiners.[1]Cellebrite official website : Case Studies According to Owler, Cellebrite has an Annual Revenue of $220 million.[2]Owler Cellebrite info

It has fourteen offices around the globe, including business centers in the US,  Brazil, Canada, Germany, UK, France, India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.[3]Cellebrite official website

Cellebrite is a fully owned subsidiary of Sun Corporation (JASDAQ: 6736), based in Nagoya, Japan. According to Cellebrite’s website more than 150 countries used Cellebrite’s services but the firm never publicly confirmed which governments are among its customers.[4]Cellebrite Official Website : Newsroom According to Cellebrite its clients include police departments in all 50 US states, national law enforcement agencies in 25 of the 27 European Union nations, and 8 out of the 10 largest US banks.[5]Cellebrite Ceo going Public A 2014 CNN segment on the company counted 140 different police clients worldwide.[6]Cellebrite’s Yuval Ben-Moshe Interviewed on CNN

Cellebrite provides a series of digital forensic devices based on the flagship tool – UFED (Universal Forensic Extraction Device)[7]The Industry Standard for Lawfully Accessing and Collecting Digital Data– which unlocks mobile phones and computers passwords, bypasses encryption, and extracts information including GPS, deleted messages, calls, and data collected by apps that the user is unaware of. One UFED device can be used on up to 3,000 phones. The UFED is used in conjunction with another Cellebrite product, Physical Analyzer[8]The Industry Standard for Digital Data Examination , which allows the operant to analyze the digital evidence and create customized reports.

In 2016, the company attracted worldwide attention after it helped the FBI in the United States hack into the iPhone of the terrorist who shot up the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 people. The hacking operation, for which the FBI reportedly paid $900,000, spared the law enforcement agency the need to continue pursuing highly publicized legal proceedings that sought to force the iPhone’s manufacturer, Apple, to give the FBI access to the data on the device.[9]Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia It was disclosed that Cellebrite has not been registered as a security-related exporter, as the law requires, due to what they claim is the non-defense nature of their phone-hacking hardware. As a result, the Israeli firm and its gear is not subject to the supervision of the Defense Ministry’s Defense Export Control Agency – due to what has been described by critics as a failing on the company’s part, and possibly of the Defense Ministry as well.[10]Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia

Cellebrite admits that its products pose risks to human rights, and has openly stated they “may be used by customers in a way that is, or that is perceived to be, incompatible with human rights.”[11]UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION : Cellebrite

In August 2022, “Haaretz” reported that sensitive FBI and Interpol information were leaked from Cellebrite to Japanese Authorities.[12]Sensitive FBI, Interpol Info Leaked From Israeli Firm Cellebrite, Court Documents Show

Photo: from a Cellebrite brochure, shows how a police officer can use a machine to extract data from a phone.
Photo: from a Cellebrite brochure, shows how a police officer can use a machine to extract data from a phone.

 

Acquisitions / Subsidiaries / Fundings

in 2007, Cellebrite was acquired by FutureDial Incorporated and one of its major shareholders, Sun Corporation in Japan.[13]FutureDial and Sun Corporation Acquire Cellebrite Today Sun Corporation is Cellebrite’s largest shareholder. In 2019 Israeli Growth Partners (IGP) invested $110 million in Cellebrite.[14]Israeli digital forensics firm Cellebrite gets $110 mln IGP investment It has maintained its Israeli operation, based in its offices in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva, where it employs a staff of several hundred.[15]Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia

In 2019 Cellebrite signed a partnership with the South-Korean company Golden Access Co. Ltd. In their shared website it says that Golden Access specializes in manufacturing, installing and managing Israeli telecommunication equipment for public institutions.[16]Golden and Cellebrite

In 2020, Cellebrite acquired BlackBag Technologies, a forensics company with a focus on computer forensics. The acquisition allowed Cellebrite to expand its digital intelligence solution offerings to include data collection tools from computers.[17]Cellebrite expands to computers with $33M acquisition of BlackBag Technologies forensics firm

In 2021, Cellebrite announced that they entered into a definitive business combination agreement and plan of merger with TWC Tech Holdings II Corporation. Once completed, Cellebrite will become a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol, “CLBT”; the pro forma implied equity value of Cellebrite post-merger is expected to be approximately $2.4 billion.[18]Cellebrite to list on Nasdaq at $2.4b valuation through SPAC

In October 2021, Cellebrite announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of open-source intelligence firm Digital Clues AG (“Digital Clues”).[19]Cellebrite to Acquire Digital Clues, Strengthening Its Market Leading Position as the End-To-End Investigative Digital Intelligence Platform Provider

Countries that used Cellebrite’s Technology:

Bahrain – According to an investigation by The Intercept, in 2013, the Bahraini government used Cellebrite’s UFED to prosecute political activists.[20]PHONE-CRACKING CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE USED TO PROSECUTE TORTURED DISSIDENT One of them is activist Mohammed al-Singace, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence in a Bahrain prison. After torturing al-Singace, the government reportedly used Cellebrite’s equipment to extract the contents of his phone — the activist’s private WhatsApp messages and photos. These were then used as evidence against him. Cellebrite’s technology was also allegedly used to investigate and prosecute another Bahraini human rights defender, Naji Fateel, who was similarly tortured and is serving a 15-year prison sentence.[21]Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers [22]PHONE-CRACKING CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE USED TO PROSECUTE TORTURED DISSIDENT

Bangladesh – Documents show that Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion also called ‘Death Squad’ purchased Cellebrite’s phone-hacking tech and received training. The paramilitary unit is accused of extrajudicial killings and torture of hundreds of civilians.[23]Israeli Cellebrite Sold Spy-tech to Bangladesh ‘Death Squad’

Belarus – In an appeal against Israel’s Defense Export Control Agency, Defense Ministry, and Cellebrite, Eitay Mack, a lawyer and human rights activist, together with 80 human rights activists revealed documents that link Cellebrite’s technology with the persecution of political actors in Belarus.[24]Israeli Phone-hacking Firm Cellebrite Halts Sales to Russia, Belarus in Wake of Haaretz Report Lukashenko administration has purchased and used Cellebrite‘s hacking technology since 2016.[25]Rights activists raise alarm over Israeli cellphone hacking tech sold to Belarus

Botswana – CPJ’s investigation revealed that Botswana police used UFED in April 2020 to obtain incriminating information and reveal the contacts of Oratile Dikologang, a journalist with Botswana People’s Daily News. The police allegedly stripped Dikologang naked and pulled a black plastic pulled over his head during the interrogation.[26]Botswana police use Israeli Cellebrite tech to search another journalist’s phone

Brazil – UFED in use by Brazilian Federal Police Computer Forensic Unit.[27]Specialised cybercrime units – Good practice study –

Canada – In use by Royal Canadian Mounted Police [28]Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more [29]When Canadian cops need to break into an encrypted cellphone, they use this technology

Chechnya – In use by Chechen Republic’s Investigative Committee. In 2021 they published a report showing Cellebrite’s UFED system is one of their most important tools.[30]19 октября – День криминалистики

Chile – UFED devices were purchased by Chilean Police in 2015.[31]fiscaliade Chile : transparencia agosto 2015

China – Hong Kong police used Cellebrite’s technology to attack pro-democracy protester in Hong Kong in 2020. Cellebrite’s hardware cracked the phones of nearly 4,000 detainees.[32]Human Rights Activists Urge Israel to Stop Spy Tool Exports to Hong Kong Police Pro-democracy leader Joshua Wong announced that Cellebrite’s technology was used to search his device.[33]Hong Kong democracy activists to Israel: Stop exporting tech to policeThe activist, along with Israeli lawyer Eitay Mack and others, called on Israeli authorities to block Cellebrite from exporting to Hong Kong. Cellebrite stopped selling its products to China and Hong Kong in October 2020.[34]Cellebrite to Stop Selling Its Digital Intelligence Offerings in Hong Kong & China In 2021 it was exposed that Chinese Police kept buying Cellebrite products after the company said it ended sales to the country.[35]CHINESE POLICE KEPT BUYING CELLEBRITE PHONE CRACKERS AFTER COMPANY SAID IT ENDED SALES

Ethiopia – Ethiopian Police purchased UFED technology of Cellebrite to hack into cellphones of detainees. The Ethiopian Federal Police have been using Cellebrite’s systems since 2021. Ethiopia’s federal police, which is under the direct aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office, posted on its Facebook page that it had purchased UFED systems and ancillary equipment for its Crime Investigation Bureau. Accompanying photos show police officials exhibiting new Cellebrite systems, out of the box.[36]Ethiopia Obtains Phone-hacking Tech From Israeli Firm Cellebrite

European Union – between 2014-2016 Cellebrite participated in a €2m R&D program by the European Union called EVIDENCE (European Informatics Data Exchange Framework for Courts and Evidence).[37]European Informatics Data Exchange Framework for Courts and Evidence According to Politico, Cellebrite is one of several Israeli firms that is working on Europe’s efforts to track everything from COVID-19 to migrants arriving from Africa and the Middle East.[38]In Europe, a coronavirus boom for foreign surveillance firms

Germany – German state police uses Cellebrite’s technology for crime investigation and customs service investigations.[39]Mit diesen sieben Programmen liest die Polizei Smartphone-Daten aus Bavarian crime police unit purchased UFED from Cellebrite in 2018.[40]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Deutschland-München: Software In 2017 Cellebrite was operated in a test-phase by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.[41]Deutscher Bundestag : Einsatz von IT-Assistenzsystemen im Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge

Following German authorities purchased UFED from Cellebrite: Munich State Police (2015)[42]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Munich 2015 (2018)[43]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Munich 2018, Freiburg Customs Service (2016)[44]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Freiburg, Stuttgart Police (2019)[45]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2019(2020)[46]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2020 (2021)[47]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2021 (2022)[48]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2022, Lower Saxony State Police (2019)[49]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Lower Saxony 2019, Financial administration of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (2020)[50]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – NRW 2020, Leipzig Police (2020)[51]TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Leipzig 2020

Georgia – In 2018 an application for Supply and Delivery of Cellebrite UFED Software-based Mobile Forensic Solution for the national project “Sustaining Border Management and Migration Governance in Georgia” was filed in the International Organization for Migration.[52]Supply and Delivery of Cellebrite UFED Software-based Mobile Forensic Solution

Ghana – CPJ reported that, at least in 2017 and 2019, the U.S. and Interpol gave Cellebrite tools to the Ghanaian authorities, which are known for arresting journalists and searching their phones for sources.[53]US, UK, Interpol give Ghana phone hacking tools, raising journalist concerns on safety and confidentiality

Honduras – Honduras acquired between 2014-2022 digital forensic tools from Cellebrite. The Police Directorate of Investigations used Cellebrite for 939 phone extractions between 2017-2022. Among others it was used against environmental activists. Also the special criminal investigation unit ATIC used Cellebrite and conducted 3,893 extractions between 2015-2022. Documents obtained by “CODA” indicate the the Honduars Police have spent at least $136,000 for Cellebrite each year.[54]How surveillance tech helped protect power — and the drug trade — in Honduras

Ireland – The Irish Government acquired a number of licences to use Cellebrite’s forensic technology on behalf of the gardai (Ireland’s National Police Service), who use its physical analyser software to extract and analyse data from phones and other mobile devices.[55]Firm that hacked Isis phone for FBI was used by gardai in Graham Dwyer case It was used among others in 2016 in the Graham Dwyer trial in Dublin, Ireland.[56]Firm that hacked Isis phone for FBI was used by gardai in Graham Dwyer case

India – Medianama reported that Cellebrite’s UFED Ultimate and Physical Analyzer is used to extract information from smartphones by the Delhi Police in India. The Delhi Police are currently under scrutiny for widespread, intrusive surveillance projects targeting peaceful protestors and opposition lawmakers.[57]Exclusive: Delhi Police has tools to extract data from Phones [58]I’m under ‘surveillance’, claims Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, writes to Delhi Police chief [59]Facial Recognition and ‘Trade Secrets’: What Exactly are Police Forces Doing with Surveillance Tech In 2020 Cellebrite pitched Indian Police its their technology to trace coronavirus.[60]Special Report: Cyber-intel firms pitch governments on spy tools to trace coronavirus

Indonesia – Haaretz reported that Indonesia employed Cellebrite’s technology to stifle political dissent and to enforce controversial “modesty” laws.[61]Hacking Grindr? Israel’s Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Indonesia

Japan – In use by Japan National Police and the Ministry of Justice, and by police units in Aichi, Hyogo and Narita. Also by the metro police in Tokyo.[62]Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more

Myanmar – reportedly used Cellebrite’s Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) to retrieve documents from journalists’ phones.[63]Security-Tech Companies once Flocked to Myanmar. One firm’s tools were used against journalists Between 2017-2018, the Myanmar government used UFED to prosecute two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. The journalists were accused of violating state secrecy laws for their Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting on atrocities against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority. While Cellebrite claims that it stopped selling its products in Myanmar in late 2018, Freedom House and human rights lawyer Khin Maung Zaw claim that the government is still deploying the technology.[64]Freedomhouse : Cellebrite in Myanmar

Nigeria – Nigerian security forces used UFED by Cellebrite to target journalist’s phones.[65]Nigerian military targeted journalists’ phones, computers with “forensic search” for sources

Philippines – Human Rights Defender, Itay Mack, exposed in 2022 that the Philippine Office of Cybercrime, that collaborates with the Philippine police (PNP) and secret agency (NBI) purchased UFED devices by Cellebrite.[66]Israeli Phone-hacking Tech Is Helping Duterte’s War on Drugs, Media [67]Eitay Mack Appeal to Israeli MInistry of Defense

Portugal – Cellebrite’s UFED is used by Guarda Nacional Republicana.[68]Guarda Nacional Republicana – Plano de Atividades 2020 OnRetrieval is Cellebrite’s official representative/distributor in Portugal for the marketing of its tools.[69]OnRetrieval official website : Cellebrite Hardware

Russia – documents link Cellebrite’s technology with the persecution of minority groups in Russia. Cellebrite’s technology was used to target the LGBTQ community, opposition forces and minorities in Russia by its Investigative Committee.  The Investigative Committee, which has been persecuting Alexey Navalny, Pussy Riot, and LGBTQ+ activist Yulia Tsvetkova, among others, bragged about using Cellebrite’s technology more than 26,000 time. Under pressure from human rights activists, including Eitay Mack, the company announced in March 2021 that it will halt sales to Russia.[70]Israeli Phone-hacking Firm Cellebrite Vowed Not to Sell to Sanctioned Countries. So What’s It Doing in Belarus [71]Cellebrite Stops Selling Its Digital Intelligence Offerings in Russian Federation and Belarus In a document leak from 2022 that was exposed in Calcalist, it was reported that police authorities in Russia used Cellebrite’s technology.[72]Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more Also the Russian Embassy in Japan awarded Cellebrite a contract for the supply of UFED devices.[73]Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more

Saudi Arabia – Cellebrite provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia in 2019.[74]Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia

The Seychelles – In 2017 UNODC provided the Seychelles Commissioner of Police with Cellebrite Universal Forensic Extraction Devices (UFED) that will be used by the Seychelles Police Force.[75]UNODC : GLOBAL MARITIME CRIME PROGRAMME

Singapore – The Israeli company Cellebrite possesses Offices in Singapore.[76]Cellebrite official website – offices The Singapore Police is using different services of Cellebrite, among them UFED and the Cellebrite Responder Kiosk.[77]Singapore Police and HTX: Transforming Modern Criminal Investigations with Digital Intelligence Cellebrite and Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) established a partnership in 2021.[78]Cellebrite and HTX Establish Strategic Partnership to Drive Rapid Innovation and Deliver Industry Leading Digital Intelligence Capabilities to Protect and Save Lives

South Korea – used by public institutions through Cellebrite Korea (Israeli-Korean partnership) since 2019.[79]Golden & Cellebrite

Spain –Cellebrite has been contracted by the Spanish Army, Policia Nacional and Guardia Civil.[80]Mass Surveillance Cellebrite – Spain In 2016 Cellebrite announced that UFED was used by Europol and the Spanish Police to dismantle a main European union hub for distribution of counterfeit goods. [81]Twitter : UFED used by Europol & Spanish Police to dismantle main European union hub for distribution of counterfeit goods [82]Intelligence Online : Excem, Israeli cyber’s bridgehead in Spain In 2017 In the case of Spain, Cellebrite’s technology has been used by the Guardia Civil to hack the phone of Josep Maria Jové, a Catalan politician arrested for allegedly organizing the 1st October referendum and who refused to give his password to the officers.[83]El Espanol : La Guardia Civil tuvo que ir a Munich para desbloquear un móvil de Jové In 2017 Media reports claimed that an iPhone 6 that was dredged out of the water in Spain has been unlocked by Cellebrite for Spanish Law enforcement.[84]Spanish media claims iPhone 6 with Secure Enclave unlocked by Cellebrite in course of investigation OnRetrieval is Cellebrite’s official representative/distributor in Spain for the marketing of its tools.[85]OnRetrieval official website : Cellebrite Hardware In 2021 it was reported that the Spanish government has bought 15 Cellebrite UFED Touch2 analyzers for the General Police Office for Immigration and Borders (CGEF).[86]El Gobierno compra 15 unidades del Cellebrite UFED Touch 2: qué son y cómo funcionan

Tanzania – In 2017 Cellebrite’s Universal Forensic Extraction Devices (UFED) were provided to assist maritime law enforcement units. The equipment was funded through the EU MASE programme.[87]UNODC : GLOBAL MARITIME CRIME PROGRAMME

Thailandused by Thai Police[88]Suspicious baggage leads to arrest of Vietnam poachers on Thailand trips, Department of Special Investigation[89]Thailand DSI Annual Report 2019 and Customs[90]Bangkok counter-trafficking organization and Thai Customs use Cellebrite’s Analytics.

Turkey – in use by Turkey’s national police force since 2011.[91]Cellebrite Sold Phone Hacking Tech to Repressive Regimes, Data Suggests

Uganda – Uganda police uses UFED cloud analyzer to extract data. In August 2022 they confirmed the purchase. [92]After Haaretz Report, Uganda Confirms Buying Israeli Cellebrite’s Phone-hacking Tech

United Kingdom – In the UK Cellebrite has been contracted by several police forces: Police Scotland, Leicestershire Police, Sussex Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Cumbria Police and South Wales Police.[93]Mass Surveilance Cellebrite Report  In 2018, the UK Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement authority made a payment of £45,000 to Cellebrite.[94]Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers Reports in the U.K. have revealed that Cellebrite’s technology is also used by London’s Metropolitan Police (also known as Scotland Yard).[95]‘Stop Using Cellebrite’: Israeli, U.K. Police Urged to Stop Using Phone-hacking Tech In 2019 the Scottish Police Authority purchased Cellebrite’s technology.[96]OLD LAW, NEW TECH AND CONTINUED OPACITY: POLICE SCOTLAND’S USE OF MOBILE PHONE EXTRACTION [97]Scottish Police Deploy Tech That Extracts Data from Locked Smartphones

United Arab Emirates – UAE’s Ministry of Interior since reportedly used hacking technology of the Israeli cyber company Cellebrite since 2011.[98]Cellebrite Sold Phone Hacking Tech to Repressive Regimes, Data Suggests Cellebrite signed a deal in Abu Dhabi in 2020, Globes reported. The deal is estimated to be worth $3 million, and was apparently signed with a government agency in Abu Dhabi. Globes reported that the deal was brokered by former Israeli Mossad executive David Meidan.[99]Israeli cyber intelligence co Cellebrite signs deal in UAE  In July 2021 Cellebrite published a job offer for a Director of Strategic Accounts to be located in the UAE.[100]Israeli cyber intelligence co Cellebrite signs deal in UAE – Globes

USA – US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a contract up to $30m-$35m with Cellebrite in 2020 for “universal forensic extraction devices” (UFED), as well as other services, including accessories, licenses, training and support services – more than ten times than the value of the $2.2 million previous contract signed between the two sides in 2017.[101]ICE signs $30M contract with Israeli data-extraction company In use also by the FBI ($439,000 deal) and with NASA.[102]Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more

Venezuela – Cellebrite sold its phone-hacking technology to Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela, despite American sanctions which ban exports to the country.[103]Despite Sanctions, Israeli Firm Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Venezuela [104]Israeli lawyer Eitay Mack on bringing transparency to surveillance exports that threaten press freedom In 2019 The government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela approved the purchase of Cellebrite UFED Touch2 units for 51,300 Euros.[105]Urgent: Stop Cellebrite sales to Venezuela [106]millones euros petros modernizacion cicpc

Vietnam – an investigation revealed in 2021 that Cellebrite sold its digital forensics tools to a Vietnamese Ministry.[107]What Vietnam Is Doing With Israeli Phone-hacking Tech

Use on Migrants and Asylum Seekers

USA

Cellebrite has acted as a strategic partner to Federal law enforcement agencies, providing technology that allows agents to hack, search, and analyze information stored on electronic devices. From 2005 to 2020, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been the highest awarding sub agency, granting Cellebrite 206 contracts totaling $22 million – 27.43% of Cellebrite’s U.S. government contracts – for universal forensic extraction devices (UFEDs), accessories licenses, training and support services.[108]USA Spending GOV – Cellebrite

Cellebrite has sold hacking software and training to ICE, which has allowed it access to an immense amount of personal data without a warrant – including geolocation history, internet browsing history, bank records, text messages, and photos – which they use to terrorize, detain and immigrant communities in record numbers.[109]Mobile-Phone Cloning Tools Need to Be Subject to Oversight — and the Constitution

Since 2005, Customs and Border Protection has held over 117 contracts with Cellebrite worth around $5 million.[110]USA Spending GOV – Cellebrite As of July 2021, Cellebrite has five active contracts with CBP for UFED devices, annual licenses, and personnel training. CBP also uses Cellebrite software to track and survey immigrants, performing warrantless searches at the border and between points of entry as part of the Tech Wall. These illegal searches allow agents to gather intimate details about individuals’ lives in order to interrogate, detain, and ultimately deport individuals seeking asylum.[111]FACTSHEET: THE DANGERS OF BIDEN’S TECH WALL

Europe 

The potential use of its product to investigate the digital lives of people seeking asylum was outlined by Cellebrite’s VP of International Marketing in a pitch in 2019 in Morocco to government officials gathered from around the world.  According to Cellebrite’s salesperson, some “77% of refugees [sic] arrive without document”, while 43% have a smartphone during their journey – insisting that in lieu of documents, a person’s phone could be used to find out who they are, what they have been doing, where they have been, when, and ultimately why they are seeking asylum.[112]Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers

European countries are increasingly using smartphone surveillance to investigate asylum seekers. As reported by Wired, in 2017 Germany and Denmark expanded laws enabling immigration officials to conduct such examination of people’s phones, while the UK and Norway have been carrying out the practice for years.[113]Europe is using smartphone data as a weapon to deport refugees In Germany, more than 8000 phones were searched in half a year after passing the powers.[114]Hype or hope? Evidence on use of smartphones & social media in mixed migration In 2018, Austria passed a similar law.[115]Europe migrants: Austria to seize migrants’ phones in asylum clampdown In May 2018, the UK Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement authority made a payment of £45,000 to Cellebrite.[116]Home Office spending over £25,000: May 2018In 2017 Cellebrite’s technology was operated in a test-phase by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.[117]Bundestag : Einsatz von IT-Assistenzsystemen im Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge

When asked by the audience in Morocco about legal frameworks governing its use, the Cellebrite salesperson remarked that new laws could either be introduced or existing ones amended to request people hand over their devices or be banned from entering, but that in any case there is usually “consent” from those seeking asylum.[118]Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers

Cellebrite are openly advertising about the need of the European Union for Cellebrite’s technology to monitor and track asylum seekers and immigrants.[119]Border Security Report Volume 11 August 2018

Cellebrite is listed as an exhibitor in the World Border Security Congress in Athens, Greece in October 2021. They are also one of the sponsers of the congress.[120]World Border Congress Exhibitors – Cellebrite

Use by Israeli Forces and Authorities:

Israeli Police and the Department of Police Investigations are using Cellebrite’s technologies since 2016.[121]Israel Police uses Day Zero weakness [122]‘Stop Using Cellebrite’: Israeli, U.K. Police Urged to Stop Using Phone-hacking Tech In July 2021 the Government Procurement Administration’s website published the intention of the Ministry of Internal Security/Israel Police to contract with Cellebrite. The commitment amounts to NIS 19 million for the period from August 2021 to March 2024.[123]Israel Police plans $19m purchase of Cellebrite

In October 2021, Calcalist reported that between 2019-2021 the Israeli Police paid 8.1 million Shekel to Cellebrite for the usage of UFED technology.[124]Israel Police paid $8m to Cellebrite to hack phones

In January 2022, Israeli media reported that Cellebrite was used by the Israeli Police to hack the phone of a leader of the Black Flag movement (a movement that was active in demonstrations against former Prime Minister Netanyahu in 2020), despite the victim never having committed a crime. Police sought to intercept messages between organizers in order to know their plans and interdict or sabotage them. Cellebrite responded to the report: “‘What do you mean “break-in?  We work with law enforcement. We do not do it anymore but it depends on the situation. We work with the police, everything is fine, everything’s cool.’”[125]NSO is not Alone : Israel Police uses Cellebrites Tech to hack activists phone

The Israeli National Insurance Institute uses UFED for investigations. In 2019 the institute applied for an extension of the contract till 2022.[126]Tender with Cellebrite – BTL

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority made a contract with Cellebrite for UFED technology service between 2019-2021.[127]Israel Nature Authority – Tender with Cellebrite

The Ministry of Justice made a 132,886 NIS worth contract with Cellebrite in 2016[128]Tender with cellebrite – Ministry of Justice and renewed it in 2019 for 94,000 NIS.[129]Tender with cellebrite – Ministry of Justice 2019

The Israeli Customs authority made a 442,000 NIS deal with Cellebrite in 2015.[130]In the investigation division of the Israel Tax Authority, for several years now, forensic tests have been carried out

References
1 Cellebrite official website : Case Studies
2 Owler Cellebrite info
3 Cellebrite official website
4 Cellebrite Official Website : Newsroom
5 Cellebrite Ceo going Public
6 Cellebrite’s Yuval Ben-Moshe Interviewed on CNN
7 The Industry Standard for Lawfully Accessing and Collecting Digital Data
8 The Industry Standard for Digital Data Examination
9 Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia
10 Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia
11 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION : Cellebrite
12 Sensitive FBI, Interpol Info Leaked From Israeli Firm Cellebrite, Court Documents Show
13 FutureDial and Sun Corporation Acquire Cellebrite
14 Israeli digital forensics firm Cellebrite gets $110 mln IGP investment
15 Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia
16 Golden and Cellebrite
17 Cellebrite expands to computers with $33M acquisition of BlackBag Technologies forensics firm
18 Cellebrite to list on Nasdaq at $2.4b valuation through SPAC
19 Cellebrite to Acquire Digital Clues, Strengthening Its Market Leading Position as the End-To-End Investigative Digital Intelligence Platform Provider
20 PHONE-CRACKING CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE USED TO PROSECUTE TORTURED DISSIDENT
21 Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers
22 PHONE-CRACKING CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE USED TO PROSECUTE TORTURED DISSIDENT
23 Israeli Cellebrite Sold Spy-tech to Bangladesh ‘Death Squad’
24 Israeli Phone-hacking Firm Cellebrite Halts Sales to Russia, Belarus in Wake of Haaretz Report
25 Rights activists raise alarm over Israeli cellphone hacking tech sold to Belarus
26 Botswana police use Israeli Cellebrite tech to search another journalist’s phone
27 Specialised cybercrime units – Good practice study –
28 Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more
29 When Canadian cops need to break into an encrypted cellphone, they use this technology
30 19 октября – День криминалистики
31 fiscaliade Chile : transparencia agosto 2015
32 Human Rights Activists Urge Israel to Stop Spy Tool Exports to Hong Kong Police
33 Hong Kong democracy activists to Israel: Stop exporting tech to police
34 Cellebrite to Stop Selling Its Digital Intelligence Offerings in Hong Kong & China
35 CHINESE POLICE KEPT BUYING CELLEBRITE PHONE CRACKERS AFTER COMPANY SAID IT ENDED SALES
36 Ethiopia Obtains Phone-hacking Tech From Israeli Firm Cellebrite
37 European Informatics Data Exchange Framework for Courts and Evidence
38 In Europe, a coronavirus boom for foreign surveillance firms
39 Mit diesen sieben Programmen liest die Polizei Smartphone-Daten aus
40 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Deutschland-München: Software
41 Deutscher Bundestag : Einsatz von IT-Assistenzsystemen im Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge
42 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Munich 2015
43 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Munich 2018
44 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Freiburg
45 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2019
46 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2020
47 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2021
48 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Stuttgart 2022
49 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Lower Saxony 2019
50 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – NRW 2020
51 TED Europa Contract Award Notice – Leipzig 2020
52 Supply and Delivery of Cellebrite UFED Software-based Mobile Forensic Solution
53 US, UK, Interpol give Ghana phone hacking tools, raising journalist concerns on safety and confidentiality
54 How surveillance tech helped protect power — and the drug trade — in Honduras
55 Firm that hacked Isis phone for FBI was used by gardai in Graham Dwyer case
56 Firm that hacked Isis phone for FBI was used by gardai in Graham Dwyer case
57 Exclusive: Delhi Police has tools to extract data from Phones
58 I’m under ‘surveillance’, claims Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, writes to Delhi Police chief
59 Facial Recognition and ‘Trade Secrets’: What Exactly are Police Forces Doing with Surveillance Tech
60 Special Report: Cyber-intel firms pitch governments on spy tools to trace coronavirus
61 Hacking Grindr? Israel’s Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Indonesia
62 Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more
63 Security-Tech Companies once Flocked to Myanmar. One firm’s tools were used against journalists
64 Freedomhouse : Cellebrite in Myanmar
65 Nigerian military targeted journalists’ phones, computers with “forensic search” for sources
66 Israeli Phone-hacking Tech Is Helping Duterte’s War on Drugs, Media
67 Eitay Mack Appeal to Israeli MInistry of Defense
68 Guarda Nacional Republicana – Plano de Atividades 2020
69 OnRetrieval official website : Cellebrite Hardware
70 Israeli Phone-hacking Firm Cellebrite Vowed Not to Sell to Sanctioned Countries. So What’s It Doing in Belarus
71 Cellebrite Stops Selling Its Digital Intelligence Offerings in Russian Federation and Belarus
72 Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more
73 Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more
74 Revealed: Israeli Firm Provided Phone-hacking Services to Saudi Arabia
75 UNODC : GLOBAL MARITIME CRIME PROGRAMME
76 Cellebrite official website – offices
77 Singapore Police and HTX: Transforming Modern Criminal Investigations with Digital Intelligence
78 Cellebrite and HTX Establish Strategic Partnership to Drive Rapid Innovation and Deliver Industry Leading Digital Intelligence Capabilities to Protect and Save Lives
79 Golden & Cellebrite
80 Mass Surveillance Cellebrite – Spain
81 Twitter : UFED used by Europol & Spanish Police to dismantle main European union hub for distribution of counterfeit goods
82 Intelligence Online : Excem, Israeli cyber’s bridgehead in Spain
83 El Espanol : La Guardia Civil tuvo que ir a Munich para desbloquear un móvil de Jové
84 Spanish media claims iPhone 6 with Secure Enclave unlocked by Cellebrite in course of investigation
85 OnRetrieval official website : Cellebrite Hardware
86 El Gobierno compra 15 unidades del Cellebrite UFED Touch 2: qué son y cómo funcionan
87 UNODC : GLOBAL MARITIME CRIME PROGRAMME
88 Suspicious baggage leads to arrest of Vietnam poachers on Thailand trips
89 Thailand DSI Annual Report 2019
90 Bangkok counter-trafficking organization and Thai Customs use Cellebrite’s Analytics
91 Cellebrite Sold Phone Hacking Tech to Repressive Regimes, Data Suggests
92 After Haaretz Report, Uganda Confirms Buying Israeli Cellebrite’s Phone-hacking Tech
93 Mass Surveilance Cellebrite Report
94 Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers
95 ‘Stop Using Cellebrite’: Israeli, U.K. Police Urged to Stop Using Phone-hacking Tech
96 OLD LAW, NEW TECH AND CONTINUED OPACITY: POLICE SCOTLAND’S USE OF MOBILE PHONE EXTRACTION
97 Scottish Police Deploy Tech That Extracts Data from Locked Smartphones
98 Cellebrite Sold Phone Hacking Tech to Repressive Regimes, Data Suggests
99 Israeli cyber intelligence co Cellebrite signs deal in UAE
100 Israeli cyber intelligence co Cellebrite signs deal in UAE – Globes
101 ICE signs $30M contract with Israeli data-extraction company
102 Cellebrite Customers exposed: FBI, NASA, Tokyo Police and many more
103 Despite Sanctions, Israeli Firm Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Venezuela
104 Israeli lawyer Eitay Mack on bringing transparency to surveillance exports that threaten press freedom
105 Urgent: Stop Cellebrite sales to Venezuela
106 millones euros petros modernizacion cicpc
107 What Vietnam Is Doing With Israeli Phone-hacking Tech
108 USA Spending GOV – Cellebrite
109 Mobile-Phone Cloning Tools Need to Be Subject to Oversight — and the Constitution
110 USA Spending GOV – Cellebrite
111 FACTSHEET: THE DANGERS OF BIDEN’S TECH WALL
112 Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers
113 Europe is using smartphone data as a weapon to deport refugees
114 Hype or hope? Evidence on use of smartphones & social media in mixed migration
115 Europe migrants: Austria to seize migrants’ phones in asylum clampdown
116 Home Office spending over £25,000: May 2018
117 Bundestag : Einsatz von IT-Assistenzsystemen im Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge
118 Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers
119 Border Security Report Volume 11 August 2018
120 World Border Congress Exhibitors – Cellebrite
121 Israel Police uses Day Zero weakness
122 ‘Stop Using Cellebrite’: Israeli, U.K. Police Urged to Stop Using Phone-hacking Tech
123 Israel Police plans $19m purchase of Cellebrite
124 Israel Police paid $8m to Cellebrite to hack phones
125 NSO is not Alone : Israel Police uses Cellebrites Tech to hack activists phone
126 Tender with Cellebrite – BTL
127 Israel Nature Authority – Tender with Cellebrite
128 Tender with cellebrite – Ministry of Justice
129 Tender with cellebrite – Ministry of Justice 2019
130 In the investigation division of the Israel Tax Authority, for several years now, forensic tests have been carried out