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Report: Russia Used Cellebrite Tools to Hack Dissident's iPhone

How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

Report: Russia Used Cellebrite Tools to Hack Dissident's iPhone
First reported by Calcalist · 8 hours ago
Center 1Unrated 1

What happened

Citizen Lab says Russian authorities used Cellebrite tools to break into the iPhone of activist Andrey Pivovarov on or around June 17, 2021. The evidence came from Russian forensic records and showed access to messaging apps and political searches, despite Cellebrite saying it had ended its Russia contract in March 2021.

  • 01Citizen Lab found Cellebrite traces on Andrey Pivovarov’s iPhone 12 in Russian custody.
  • 02The alleged hack happened on or around June 17, 2021.
  • 03Russian records show use of UFED Physical Analyzer and UFED 4PC.
  • 04Investigators accessed WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber and searched for opposition terms.
  • 05Cellebrite said any post-March 2021 use in Russia was unauthorized.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 2 outlets

The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.

WallaCenter · Hebrew57 minutes ago
Report: Russia Used Cellebrite Tools to Hack Dissident's iPhone
CalcalistUnrated · Hebrew8 hours ago
Report Says Russia Used Cellebrite Tool to Hack Dissident’s iPhone

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