Israeli Cyber Tech Firm Accused of Selling Intrusive Products to Pakistani Law Enforcement in Violation of Ban and Diplomatic Restrictions

Israeli cyber tech firm, Cellebrite, has been accused of selling highly intrusive products to Pakistani law enforcement and investigation agencies, despite a ban on such sales and the absence of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

According to an investigative report by Ha'aretz newspaper, Cellebrite's flagship product, UFED, allows law enforcement agencies to hack into password-protected cell phones and copy all the information stored on them, including photos, documents, text messages, call logs, and contacts.

The use of Cellebrite's products by Pakistani agencies has been ongoing since 2012. Although Cellebrite's end-user license agreement prohibits sales to Pakistan, evidence such as shipping records, official bids, and operating manuals indicate that the company's products have been widely used by Pakistani police units and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The FIA officials, responsible for enforcing Pakistan's cybercrime law, even mention in their LinkedIn profiles that they have been trained and certified to use Cellebrite's systems. The report also reveals that other companies, such as Belkasoft and Compelson, are required to support files produced using Cellebrite's technology in bids issued by Pakistani police units.

Despite Cellebrite's claim that it does not sell directly or indirectly to Pakistan, the company has not explained the contradiction between their statement and the evidence presented. Cellebrite states that its goal is to create a safer world by providing solutions for law enforcement agencies to solve crimes more quickly, and the company insists on proper oversight of its technology to ensure its lawful use.

Pakistan, known for serious human rights violations and restrictions on freedom of expression, has previously passed a cybercrime law that further limits online freedom and allows strict censorship without a court order.

The sale of Cellebrite's products to Pakistani agencies raises concerns over potential misuse, including persecution of religious minorities, journalists, and opposition activists, who work to uncover the ties between the military and terrorist organizations. This revelation comes amid growing scrutiny of Israeli technology companies' sales and their compliance with human rights standards.

While NSO Group gained global attention for selling its Pegasus cyber tech to oppressive regimes, Cellebrite operates in a grey area between security exports and civilian products.

The Israeli Defense Ministry, responsible for oversight in this area, has declined to comment on the matter. Despite occasional discussions between Israel and Pakistan on political normalization, progress has been limited due to public hostility towards Israel in Pakistan.