Gaza Herald_ Cellebrite is an Israeli technology firm closely tied to the country’s military and security apparatus. It develops software capable of bypassing passwords and security protocols on smartphones and computers, allowing complete access to device data.
Reports indicate Israeli forces have used these tools extensively on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including thousands of detainees, some of whom faced coercion and mistreatment. Cellebrite has also reportedly received US Department of Defense support for projects such as mapping underground tunnel networks in Gaza.
Despite public statements expressing concern about Gaza, the UK has engaged with Cellebrite technology. Public records show multiple UK police forces purchasing access to its software, including the City of London Police, Leicestershire Police, British Transport Police, Essex Police, Kent Police, Northumbria Police, and the Serious Fraud Office.
Requests for comment from UK authorities have gone unanswered. Cellebrite maintains that its software is a forensic tool used in legally authorised investigations requiring physical access to devices. Human rights advocates, however, have raised concerns about the export of its technology to governments known to target journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
Video Surveillance: BriefCam
BriefCam, an Israeli surveillance software company, provides video analysis tools to law enforcement and private companies. Founded in 2007 using technology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, its systems condense hours of CCTV footage, allowing users to search and track individuals or vehicles efficiently.
Its platform includes facial recognition, licence plate detection, and pattern analysis. BriefCam technology has been deployed by Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem, a territory internationally recognised as occupied.
In the UK, Cumbria Police has used BriefCam for several years, while Police Scotland has considered adopting it. The software allows authorities to track movements, identify individuals, and analyse behavioural patterns across video feeds.
Human rights groups warn that such tools are integral to systems of monitoring and control, particularly in occupied areas, where they restrict freedom of movement and increase surveillance of civilians. While some UK forces claim not to use all features, including facial recognition, concerns persist about ethical implications and the origin of the technology.
Facial Recognition: Corsight
Corsight, another Israeli company, provides facial recognition technology now being incorporated into UK mobile surveillance systems. Partnerships with local contractors have allowed Corsight technology to expand its presence in law enforcement.
Reports indicate that Corsight software has been used to monitor Palestinians, raising ethical and legal concerns. Experts have warned that facial recognition systems developed in militarised settings carry inherent risks when deployed elsewhere.
The adoption of technologies from companies like Cellebrite, BriefCam, and Corsight reflects the global demand for surveillance tools refined in conflict zones. Human rights advocates caution that exporting these systems risks normalising intrusive monitoring and enabling violations of civil liberties.
Ethical and Human Rights Concerns
The UK’s engagement with Israeli surveillance technologies has sparked debates over ethics, accountability, and human rights. Critics argue that tools developed in conditions of military occupation pose serious moral and legal challenges when used by democratic governments.
Advocates urge transparency and independent oversight of contracts with surveillance firms, warning that the widespread use of such tools may entrench monitoring practices and compromise privacy. As the global surveillance industry grows, technologies shaped in conflict zones remain at the forefront of scrutiny, highlighting the balance between security priorities and the protection of civil liberties.
