Citizen Lab Finds Cellebrite Tool Used on Kenyan Activist’s Phone in Police Custody
Overview
New research from the Citizen Lab, an interdisciplinary unit at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, has uncovered evidence that Kenyan law‑enforcement agencies used a commercial forensic extraction tool manufactured by Cellebrite, an Israeli technology firm, to break into the phone of a well‑known Kenyan dissident while the device was in police custody.
The findings, published on 18 February 2026, add to a growing body of reports documenting the misuse of sophisticated forensic tools against journalists, activists, and other members of civil society worldwide.
Key Findings
- Tool Identified: Cellebrite’s forensic extraction platform, typically marketed for legitimate law‑enforcement investigations, was detected on the activist’s device.
- Authority Involvement: The forensic activity coincided with the period the phone was held by Kenyan police, indicating direct involvement of state actors.
- Target Profile: The subject is described as a prominent dissident—a figure known for outspoken criticism of the government and advocacy for democratic reforms.
- Research Methodology: Citizen Lab employed its standard forensic analysis pipeline, comparing device artefacts against known Cellebrite signatures to confirm the tool’s use.
Context and Implications
- Abuse of Commercial Tools: The case exemplifies how commercially available forensic solutions, originally intended for criminal investigations, can be repurposed for political surveillance.
- International Concerns: Cellebrite, based in Israel, has faced scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions for the export and deployment of its technology in contexts that may violate human rights.
- Trend in Kenya: This incident follows earlier reports of digital surveillance targeting opposition figures and civil‑society groups in Kenya, suggesting a pattern of state‑led intrusion.
- Policy Recommendations: Citizen Lab’s broader work calls for stricter export controls, transparent oversight mechanisms, and robust legal safeguards to prevent misuse of forensic tools.
Reactions
- Human Rights Groups: Organizations monitoring digital rights have condemned the apparent misuse, urging Kenyan authorities to cease unauthorized phone examinations.
- Cellebrite’s Stance: While the company has not issued a comment within the scope of this report, past statements emphasize that its products are sold under strict licensing agreements meant for lawful use.
- Government Response: No official response from Kenyan law‑enforcement agencies has been recorded at the time of publication.
Looking Forward
The Citizen Lab continues to track the deployment of forensic technologies worldwide, aiming to expose patterns of abuse and inform policy debates. This latest finding underscores the urgent need for accountability mechanisms that balance legitimate investigative needs with the protection of fundamental freedoms.
For the full research report and technical details, visit the original article on The Hacker News.