ZAA digital rights group, the SHARE Foundation, reported that more than a dozen Serbians were targeted with mercenary spyware, including members of a student movement, activists, opposition party members, and a local councilor. The infections were discovered in August after Apple notified users in 110 countries of potential exposure to spyware. The incidents occurred amid contentious local elections in Serbia, which are viewed as a test for student-backed political opposition. At least one device was infected with Pegasus spyware developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, while others were targeted with malware similar to NoviSpy. The Serbian government and NSO Group did not respond to requests for comment. A U.S. representative criticized the Serbian government for allegedly using 'totalitarian technology' against citizens, while a legal expert noted that such surveillance without judicial authorization violates Serbian law.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the spyware attacks as part of a broader pattern targeting political opposition and civil society, particularly highlighting the involvement of student activists and the implications for democratic processes. While it presents factual information about the technical aspects of the
