Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who plans to run for president in 2027, reported feeling “unsafe” after authorities returned his mobile phone post-arrest, revealing it was no longer password protected. Mwangi’s phone contained sensitive personal data, and he feared government access to this information. A report by Citizen Lab confirmed that during his arrest last July, Kenyan authorities likely used Israeli technology from Cellebrite to hack his device, extracting private data including messages and financial information.
Citizen Lab criticized Cellebrite for allowing such abuses, although the company claimed it conducts thorough reviews of abuse allegations. Amnesty International previously indicated that Mwangi’s arrest was part of a broader strategy to intimidate opposition voices. Despite being released on bail, Mwangi expressed his awareness of being under constant surveillance, asserting that authorities had prior knowledge of his role in civil movements.
Citizen Lab’s findings align with previous analyses revealing similar surveillance tactics against other activists in Kenya. The ongoing use of Cellebrite’s technology raises significant concerns about the safety of journalists and civil society members globally, as similar tactics have been reported in places like Jordan, Myanmar, and Belarus. Senior researcher John Scott Railton emphasized the ethical implications of government interference with personal data to suppress dissent.
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