Researchers find Jordan government used Cellebrite phone-cracking tech against activists

Background

Citizen Lab, a research organization at the University of Toronto, conducted an investigation into the use of Cellebrite phone-cracking technology by the Jordanian government against domestic activists and human rights defenders.
The incidents occurred between late 2023 and mid-2025, during a time of protests in support of Palestinians.
The cases involved a political activist, student organizer, activist/researcher, and human rights defender, three of whom had iPhones and one had an Android device.

Citizen Lab analyzed the phones of the activists after they were seized and returned by Jordanian authorities, and concluded with "high confidence" that the devices had been subjected to Cellebrite's forensic extraction products.
The nonconsensual access to the activists' devices stood in conflict with international human rights treaties that Jordan had ratified.
Citizen Lab found that Cellebrite's products are widely used against civil society in Jordan, with forensic data showing their use dating back to at least 2020.
The activists whose phones were examined said the experience shook their confidence and led them to resort to self-censorship.

Cellebrite spokesperson Victor Cooper stated that the company prohibits transactions with any entities on sanctions lists, and vets potential customers against internal human rights parameters.
Cooper said Cellebrite tech, unlike spyware, can't intercept communications or monitor devices in real time, but rather can access private data under legal processes to aid investigations after something has occurred.
Cellebrite stated that it takes allegations of potential misuse of its technology seriously and will investigate each claim in accordance with its ethics and integrity policies, and stop the use of its products by relevant customers when appropriate.

Citizen Lab said Cellebrite's responses to its questions as part of the investigation were "vague and unsubstantiated."
The organization called on Cellebrite to open a probe into its clients in Jordan and to address the human rights implications of the use of its technology.

https://cyberscoop.com/researchers-find-jordan-government-used-cellebrite-phone-cracking-tech-against-activists/
https://www.socdefenders.ai/item/18ba9aed-c431-4525-b5e1-7a75f369ecc0
https://x.com/StopMalvertisin/status/2014390152974434656