Spyware found on students’ and lawmakers’ phones as Vučić calls claims “nonsense” and BIA cites foreign interests

At least 14 students, activists and opposition leaders in Serbia have been warned by Apple that their phones were infected with advanced spyware capable of extracting messages, photographs and other data, while activating the camera and microphone remotely.

The alerts prompted the Green-Left Front to seek action from international missions in Serbia and demand an independent, transparent investigation into which state institution, if any, stood behind the surveillance. Opposition lawmaker Radomir Lazović said he received Apple’s warning at the same time as a group of students, about two weeks ago.

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This unlawful use of spyware represents a serious threat to democratic institutions and is leading Serbia toward autocracy.

Lazović called the alleged use of spyware illegal and said it posed a serious threat to democratic institutions. His phone, along with students’ devices, underwent examination by independent expert organizations. The SHARE Foundation, which works on digital rights, said such sophisticated infections can be installed remotely, without the user’s contact or knowledge, giving an attacker full control of the phone.

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We have confirmed Pegasus as a type of spyware.

Andrej Petrovski of the foundation said checks conducted with internationally recognized laboratories had confirmed Pegasus on one device. Forensic analysis had identified indicators associated with a highly sophisticated attack, while examinations of other devices were still in progress.

After receiving the forensic evidence, Lazović alleged a connection between new spyware developed in Serbia and IP addresses linked to the Security Information Agency, or BIA. The agency dismissed the claims as “ordinary trivial sensationalism” and said their content showed the “true intentions” of people and organizations working for foreign intelligence services and pressure groups. BIA said it operated strictly within Serbian law.

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This is ordinary trivial sensationalism.

President Aleksandar Vučić also rejected the allegations, recalling that he had been wiretapped when he was an opposition leader and later at the start of his presidency. He said the current claims were so foolish and meaningless that he had no words.

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This is so foolish, so meaningless, that I have no words.