Russia Bypasses Cellebrite's Restrictions to Hack Activist's Phone

WHO:

Engadget - Russian authorities are involved in the hacking incident.

TechCrunch - The political opponent whose phone was hacked is an activist.

WHAT:

Engadget - Russia allegedly used a forensics platform to hack an activist's phone.

TechCrunch - Evidence was found that Russian authorities hacked the iPhone of a political opponent using a phone-unlocking device made by Cellebrite.

WHERE:

Engadget - The hacking incident involves Russia, but specific locations are not mentioned.

TechCrunch - The hacking occurred in the context of political opposition, but specific locations are not detailed.

WHEN:

TechCrunch - Cellebrite stated it would stop selling to Putin’s government, but the exact date of this decision is not provided.

WHY:

Engadget - Cellebrite claims the hardware used for the hacking predates current sanctions and was used without its consent.

HOW:

Engadget - Russia bypassed Cellebrite's restrictions to access the hacking tools.

TechCrunch - Russian authorities utilized a phone-unlocking device made by Cellebrite to hack the activist's phone.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 19:42 UTC)

Russian authorities are reportedly involved in a hacking incident where they allegedly used a forensics platform to compromise the phone of an activist and political opponent. Evidence suggests that they hacked the activist's iPhone using a phone-unlocking device made by Cellebrite, which claims that the hardware used for this hacking predates current sanctions and was employed without its consent. Cellebrite has stated it will cease selling to Putin’s government, although the exact date of this decision has not been disclosed.