By Micah Jonah, February 26, 2026
The United Kingdom government is facing criticism for buying spyware developed and tested on Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, despite publicly condemning Israeli military actions in the region.
Reports show that the UK has acquired surveillance technology from Israeli firms including Cellebrite, BriefCam, and Corsight. These tools have been used by Israel to monitor, track, and detain thousands of Palestinians, with allegations that some detainees were subjected to torture.
Cellebrite, known for bypassing phone and computer security, has contracts with several UK police forces, including City of London, Leicestershire, Kent, and Essex police, while BriefCam provides video analysis software used to sift through CCTV footage, building facial recognition and license plate watch lists.
Human rights groups warn that these technologies, initially developed in Israel’s military-occupied territories, perpetuate oppression and violate Palestinians’ basic rights. Amnesty International noted that such software is instrumental in maintaining what it described as a system of apartheid.
Despite these concerns, UK authorities, including the Home Office, have remained largely silent when approached for comment. Rights campaigners argue that public funds should not support firms whose products have been linked to human rights violations.
The use of these surveillance tools by the UK underscores the global spread of Israeli-developed spyware and raises urgent questions about accountability and the ethics of law enforcement technology.
