Serbians targeted with spyware in country’s ‘largest documented wave of surveillance’
Student protesters among those hacked, says digital rights group, though Aleksandar Vučić’s government denies spying
TL;DR
- At least 14 Serbians, including members of a student movement critical of the government, were targeted with advanced spyware.
- This incident represents the largest documented wave of spyware infections in Serbia to date.
- At least one target was infected with NSO Group's Pegasus spyware, which provides full access to a device.
- The digital rights group Share Foundation suggests the spyware attacks, occurring during local elections, may have been a test run for upcoming snap elections.
- The Serbian government, through parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić, has denied any involvement in spying on students.
- NSO Group, the maker of Pegasus, has a history of its spyware being used to target journalists and dissidents.