---
title: "Serbian activists targeted with advanced spyware"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-activists-targeted-with-advanced-spyware"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/serbian-activists-targeted-with-advanced-spyware"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-activists-targeted-with-advanced-spyware.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/serbian-activists-targeted-with-advanced-spyware"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-09-04T20:25:09.781Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-04T18:57:17.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-04T20:30:32.238Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 45
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-04T19:49:16.803Z"
---

# Serbian activists targeted with advanced spyware

*At least 14 individuals from civil society were infected with Pegasus and NoviSpy.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to named bodies, but no independent outlets or named sources on the record.
- Craft 45 of 100, higher is better. The digests provide a basic account of events, but lack depth and detail.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'Tsunami' and 'Scandal' without full reportage to support it.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- At least 14 people from civil society in Serbia were targeted with advanced spyware, including members of a student movement challenging the government.
- The spyware infections, revealed in August, involved Pegasus and NoviSpy, installed via zero-click exploits in iMessage.
- The installation of Pegasus software has a reported cost of between 50,000 and 100,000 euros.

At least 14 individuals from civil society in Serbia have been targeted with advanced spyware. Among those affected are members of a student movement that has been challenging the government of Aleksandar Vučić. The spyware infections were revealed in August. The tools used included Pegasus and NoviSpy, which were installed through zero-click exploits in iMessage.

## Disagreement on spyware cost

One report states that the installation of Pegasus software costs between 50,000 and 100,000 euros. This figure was not mentioned in the other reports.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated reports mentioned the cost estimate for installing Pegasus software. The unrated reports did not mention the co-developer of the software.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 25 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 36% (9)
- Centre: 32% (8)
- Right: 32% (8)

50 of 75 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-04T19:49:16.803Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-04T21:30:43.265Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated outlets reported that at least 14 activists, students, and opposition figures in Serbia were targeted with spyware, including Pegasus. These reports stated that the surveillance occurred ahead of elections and was the largest documented wave of its kind in the country. Citizen Lab confirmed Pegasus spyware on a student activist's phone.
- Serbian authorities, including the intelligence agency and President Aleksandar Vucic, denied the allegations, calling them 'trivial sensationalism' and claiming the accusers acted in the interests of foreign groups. Balkan Insight reported these denials, quoting the BIA and the President.
- Some reports noted that the spyware could access all data on a device and secretly record its activity, and that its use is illegal in Serbia. Dnevni list Danas mentioned that one case involved NoviSpy, a domestic spyware, allegedly installed while a person was in police custody.

### Centre

- The centre-rated report led with the targeting of students by Pegasus spyware in Serbia. It noted that the information was presented as a press review prepared in partnership with the Courrier des Balkans.

### Right

- The right-rated report focused on President Vučić using spyware against the opposition in Serbia. It stated that government opponents and journalists are spied on with illegal software during elections. The report also mentioned that the installation of Pegasus software costs between 50,000 and 100,000 euros and identified Shalev Hulio as an Israeli business partner who co-developed the software.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 1
- high: 16
- unknown: 51
- veryHigh: 6

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Moncloa](https://moncloa.com/2026/09/04/pegasus-serbia-citizen-lab-novispy-activistas-3426354) — Pegasus Serbia: Citizen Lab Confirms Zero-Click Infections to Activists Before Elections · Global Voices
- [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/fr/europe/20260904-%C3%A0-la-une-en-serbie-les-%C3%A9tudiants-cibl%C3%A9s-par-le-logiciel-espion-pegasus) — Front Page: In Serbia, Students Targeted by the Pegasus Spyware
- [ieidiseis.gr](https://ieidiseis.gr/kosmos/859797/servia-tsoynami-parakoloythiseon-me-stocho-foitites-kai-aktivistes) — Serbia: "Tsunami" of Surveillance Targeting Students and Activists
- [e-thessalia.gr](https://e-thessalia.gr/skandalo-me-paranomes-parakoloythiseis-aploi-polites-kai-foitites-stochos-toy-pegasus) — Scandal with Illegal Surveillance: Ordinary Citizens and Students Targeted by Pegasus
- [Die Presse](https://diepresse.com/41230178/vucic-liess-die-opposition-in-serbien-mit-der-spyware-des-kompagnons) — Vučić Left the Opposition in Serbia with the Spyware of the...
- [LiFO](https://lifo.gr/now/world/pegasus-sti-serbia-stohos-parakoloythiseon-foitites-toy-kinimatos-kata-toy-boytsits) — Pegasus in Serbia: Target of Surveillance on Students of the Anti-Vucic Movement
- [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/09/04/ataque-massivo-com-spyware-atinge-sociedade-civil-e-estudantes-na-servia) — Massive Attack with Spyware Reaches Civil Society and Students in Serbia
- [EURACTIV](https://euractiv.com/news/serbian-activists-allege-being-hit-with-hi-tech-spyware) — Serbian activists allege being hit with hi-tech spyware
- [Radio Poland](https://polskieradio.pl/395/7785/artykul/3727179,spyware-attacks-on-serbian-students-opposition-mark-largest-known-surveillance-campaign-report-says) — Spyware attacks on Serbian students, opposition mark largest known surveillance campaign, report says
- [tvpworld.com](https://tvpworld.com/95193128/serbia-rocked-by-spyware-attacks-on-activists-opposition-ahead-of-elections) — Serbia rocked by spyware attacks on activists and opposition
- [focus.de](https://focus.de/politik/ausland/serbien-organisation-dokumentiert-mindestens-14-angriffe-mit-spaehsoftware-auf-menschen-aus-der-zivilgesellschaft_d3e61848-860f-4add-bd51-6bd2f4d734b3.html) — Serbia: Organization Documents at Least 14 Attacks with Spying Software on People From Civil Society
- [frognews.bg](https://frognews.bg/novini/pegasus-sreshtu-protestirashti-nai-mashtabnata-valna-shpionaj-sarbiia.html) — Pegasus Against Protesters: The Largest Wave of Espionage in Serbia
- [NewsBytes](https://newsbytesapp.com/news/world/serbia-hit-by-largest-documented-spyware-attack-on-civil-society/story) — At least 14 Serbian activists targeted in major spyware attack
- [albeu.com](https://albeu.com/lajme/bota/the-guardian-te-pakten-14-serbe-te-shoqerise-civile-u-vune-ne-shenjester-te-programeve-spiune/997521) — The Guardian”: At Least 14 Civil Society Serbs Targeted by Spy Programs
- [Έθνος](https://ethnos.gr/World/article/419475/skandalomeparanomesparakoloythhseissthserbiaaploipoliteskaifoithtesstoxostoypegasus) — Scandal with Illegal Surveillance in Serbia: Ordinary Citizens and Students Targeted by Pegasus
- [vijesti.me](https://vijesti.me/svijet/balkan/825145/srf-spijuniranje-se-uklapa-u-sliku-srbije-kao-sve-autoritarnije-zemlje) — SRF: Spying Fits Into the Image of Serbia as an Increasingly Authoritarian Country
- [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1873896/servia-kataggelies-gia-maziki-hrisi-kataskopeutikou-logismikou-kata-politon-kai-foititon) — Serbia: Complaints About Mass Use of Spyware Against Citizens and Students
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/04/2565440.html) — Pegasus and NoviSpy used against Serbian protesters
- [reader.gr](https://reader.gr/kosmos/serbia-kataggelies-gia-mazikes-parakoloythiseis-me-logismiko-pegasus-metaxy-ton-thymaton-kai/660151) — Serbia: Complaints About Mass Surveillance with Pegasus Software - Students Among the Victims
- [koutipandoras.gr](https://koutipandoras.gr/article/servia-skandalo-parakolouthiseon-me-to-logismiko-pegasus-sto-stochastro-foitites-kai-aktivistes) — Serbia: Pegasus Software Surveillance Scandal Targeted by Students and Activists | Pandora's Box
- [Actualno.com](https://actualno.com/balkani/vuchich-se-gotvi-za-izbori-shpionski-softuer-sreshtu-studentite-v-syrbija-news_2635896.html) — Vucic Prepares for Elections: Spyware Against Students in Serbia
- [Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF)](https://srf.ch/news/international/ueberwachung-von-studierenden-mindestens-14-handys-in-serbien-mit-spyware-angegriffen) — Student Protests in Serbia: 14 Mobile Phones Attacked with Spyware
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/ue/scandal-de-spionaj-in-serbia-telefoanele-unor-studenti-protestatari-tinta-celui-mai-amplu-val-de-supraveghere-din-tara-3934523) — Scandal of Espionage in Serbia. Telephones of Protest Students, Target "the Widest Wave of Surveillance" in the Country
- [The Cyber Express](https://thecyberexpress.com/pegasus-novispy-spyware-serbia-students) — Pegasus, New NoviSpy Variant Found On Serbian Students
- [ekriti](https://ekriti.gr/kosmos/serbia-sto-stohastro-kataskopeytikoy-logismikoy-foitites-boyleytes-kai-aktibistes-proeklogika) — Serbia: Students, MPs and Activists Targeted by Spyware Ahead of Elections
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/externe/membri-ai-unei-miscari-studentesti-din-serbia-vizati-de-programe-spion-avansate-23801696) — Members of a Student Movement in Serbia, Targeted by Advanced Spy Programs
- [securityaffairs.com](https://securityaffairs.com/198377/intelligence/pegasus-and-novispy-used-against-serbian-protesters.html) — Pegasus and NoviSpy Used Against Serbian Protesters
- [Anatropi News](https://anatropinews.gr/2026/09/servia-foitites-kai-aktivistes-sto-stochastro-proigmenou-spyware) — Serbia: Spyware Attack on Students and Activists with Pegasus
- [The Record by Recorded Future](https://therecord.media/serbia-spyware-pegasus-europe) — Large group of Serbian opposition, activist figures targeted with spyware
- [economx.hu](https://economx.hu/kulfold/2026/09/03/kemszoftver-ellenzeki-aktivistak-diakok-amnesty) — International Organizations Confirmed: Opposition Activists May Have Been Monitored with Spyware
- [enikos.gr](https://enikos.gr/international/servia-kataskopeftiko-logismiko-chtypise-foitites-vouleftes-kai-aktivistes-prin-apo-tis-ekloges/2638242) — Serbia: Spyware Hits Students, MPs and Activists Ahead of Elections
- [Vesti online](https://vesti-online.com/bia-odbacila-optuzbe-o-spijunskom-softveru-agencija-porucuje-da-radi-iskljucivo-po-zakonu) — BIA Rejects 'Spyware' Accusations: Agency Says It Operates only Within the Law
- [Balkan Insight](https://balkaninsight.com/2026/09/03/serbian-authorities-deny-spyware-attacks-on-student-protesters-activists/bi) — Serbian Authorities Deny Spyware Attacks on Student Protesters, Activists
- [in.gr](https://in.gr/2026/09/03/world/neo-skandalo-ypoklopon-sti-servia-parakolouthousan-14-antipoliteyomena-atoma-vrethike-to-spyware-pegasus) — New Wiretapping Scandal in Serbia: 14 Opposition Figures Were Monitored - Pegasus Spyware Found
- [Dnevnik](https://dnevnik.si/novice/svet/srbski-aktivisti-trdijo-da-so-bili-tarca-izraelske-vohunske-programske-opreme-2825567) — Serbian Activists Claim They Were Targeted by Israeli Spyware
- [The Star Kuala Lumpur](https://thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2026/09/03/spyware-targeted-serbian-protest-organisers-phones-report-says) — Spyware targeted Serbian protest organisers' phones, report says
- [Pančevo 013 info](https://013info.rs/srbija/bia-o-navodima-studenata-o-spijuniranju-obican-trivijalni-senzacionalizam) — BIA on Student Spying Allegations: Plain Trivial Sensationalism
- [dnews.gr](https://dnews.gr/eidhseis/kosmos/608145/servia-sto-stoxastro-spyware-foitites-kai-aktivistes-diapseydei-i-kyvernisi-voytsits) — Serbia: Students and Activists Targeted by Spyware - Vucic's Government Denies
- [The Japan Times](https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/03/world/serbians-mercenary-spyware) — More than a dozen Serbians targeted with mercenary spyware
- [tanjug.rs](https://tanjug.rs/srbija/drustvo/278323/bia-navodi-o-upotrebi-spijunskog-softvera-trivijalni-senzacionalizam/vest) — BIA: Allegations of the Use of Spyware Trivial Sensationalism
- [Worthy Christian News](https://worthynews.com/117235-serbian-students-targeted-with-israeli-spyware-ahead-of-elections-worthy-news-investigation) — Serbian Students Targeted With Israeli Spyware Ahead Of Elections (Worthy News Investigation)
- [IT Security News - cybersecurity, infosecurity news](https://itsecuritynews.info/pegasus-zero-click-spyware-exploit-infects-serbian-student-movement-members-iphone) — Pegasus Zero-Click Spyware Exploit Infects Serbian Student Movement Member's iPhone
- [24sata.hr](https://24sata.hr/news/napad-na-studente-i-opoziciju-u-srbiji-spijuniralo-ih-zloglasnim-programima-stiglo-je-izvjesce-1151649) — Attack on Students and Opposition in Serbia! ŠPijuniralo Ih Zloglasnim Programima: Stiglo Je izvješće...
- [Pokret Ne davimo Beograd](https://nedavimobeograd.rs/radomir-lazovic-prisluskivan-kad-i-studenti-na-merama-bia) — Radomir Lazović Tapped when Students - Na Merama BIA!
- [stratnewsglobal.com](https://stratnewsglobal.com/technology/serbia-spyware-targeting) — Serbia Spyware Targeting Raises Election Concerns
- [The Hacker News](https://thehackernews.com/2026/09/pegasus-zero-click-spyware-exploit.html) — Pegasus Zero-Click Spyware Exploit Infects Serbian Student Movement Member's iPhone
- [Cenzolovka](https://cenzolovka.rs/drzava-i-mediji/pegasus-kao-podrska-rezimima-u-srbiji-i-madjarskoj) — Pegasus in Support of the Regimes in Serbia and Hungary
- [Zëri](https://zeri.info/aktuale/635703/kongresisti-amerikan-joe-wilson-regjimi-i-vuciqit-ka-pergjuar-qytetaret-serbe) — US Congressman Joe Wilson: Vučić's Regime Has Been Wiretapping Serbian Citizens
- [24ur.com](https://24ur.com/novice/tujina/srbski-studenti-tarca-izraelske-vohunske-opreme-pegasus.html) — Serbian Students Targeted by Israeli Spyware Pegasus
- [European Western Balkans](http://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2026/09/03/opposition-and-student-activists-in-serbia-targeted-with-advanced-spyware) — Opposition and student activists in Serbia targeted with advanced spyware
- [savremenapolitika.com](https://savremenapolitika.com/studenti-u-blokadi-clanovi-naseg-pokreta-bili-meta-spijunskog-softvera) — Studenti U Blokadi: ČLanovi Našeg Pokreta Bili Meta šPijunskog Softvera
- [Naslovi.net](https://naslovi.net/2026-09-03/danas/ft-studenti-i-opozicioni-aktivisti-u-srbiji-na-meti-spijunskog-softvera/42306151) — FT: Students and Opposition Activists in Serbia Targeted by Spyware
- [jabuka.tv](https://jabuka.tv/ni-iphone-nije-siguran-u-srbiji-platili-stotine-tisuca-eura-da-hakiraju-studente-i-oporbu) — Ni iPhone Nije Siguran U Srbiji: Platili Stotine tisuća Eura Da Hakiraju Studente I Oporbu
- [TheGeopost](https://thegeopost.com/ballkan/alarm-ne-serbi-te-pakten-dhjetera-aktiviste-dhe-figura-te-opozites-u-shenjestruan-me-programe-spiune-para-zgjedhjeve) — Alarm in Serbia: At Least Dozens of Activists and Opposition Figures Targeted with Spyware Before Elections - The Geopost
- [Javanews.al](https://javanews.al/kongresmeni-amerikan-joe-wilson-regjimi-i-vucicit-ka-pergjuar-qytetaret-serbe) — US Congressman Joe Wilson: Vucic Regime Has Tapped Serbian Citizens
- [Dnevni list Danas](https://danas.rs/svet/ft-studenti-na-meti-spijunskog-softvera) — FT: Students and Opposition Activists in Serbia Targeted by Spyware
- [telex.hu](https://telex.hu/kulfold/2026/09/02/pegasus-kemprogrammal-figyelhettek-meg-a-szerb-diaktuntetesek-szervezoit) — Pegasus Spyware May Have Monitored Organizers of Serbian Student Protests
- [portalanalitika.me](https://portalanalitika.me/clanak/clanak/skandal-u-srbiji-izraelski-softver-koristen-za-spijuniranje-pred-lokalne-izbore) — Scandal in Serbia: Israeli Softver Korišten Za šPijuniranje Pred Local Chambers
- [Klix](https://klix.ba/vijesti/regija/skandal-u-srbiji-izraelski-softver-koristen-za-spijuniranje-pred-lokalne-izbore/260902166) — Scandal in Serbia: Israeli Softver Korišten Za šPijuniranje Pred Local Chambers
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/legal/litigation/more-than-dozen-serbians-targeted-with-mercenary-spyware-digital-rights-group-2026-09-02) — More than a dozen Serbians targeted with mercenary spyware, digital rights group finds
- [autonomija.info](https://autonomija.info/igor-bozic-kako-su-mi-instalirali-spijunski-softver-pegasus) — Igor Božić: How They Installed the Spy Software Pegasus
- [Telegrafi](https://telegrafi.com/skandal-ne-serbi-aktiviste-studente-dhe-opozitare-po-pergjohen-para-zgjedhjeve) — Scandal in Serbia - Activists, Students and Opposition Are Being Wiretapped Before Elections
- [El Mundo](https://elmundo.es/internacional/2026/09/02/6a98611fe9cf4ab4608b457a.html) — Serbia's Student Movement Denounces the 'Hacking' of Their Phones with Programs Like Pegasus
- [serbiantimes.info](https://serbiantimes.info/ispovest-urednika-n1-kako-su-mi-instalirali-spijunski-softver-pegasus-na-13-dana) — EDITOR'S CONFESSION N1: "How They Installed the Spyware 'Pegasus' on Me for 13 Days"!
- [n1info.rs](https://n1info.rs/vesti/ds-vucic-je-licno-naredio-spijuniranje-studenata-o-drzavnom-teroru-obavesticemo-svet) — DS: Vučić Je Lično Naredio šPijuniranje Studenata, O Državnom Teroru Obavestićemo Svet
- [vecernji.ba](https://vecernji.ba/vijesti/izraelski-spijunski-softver-koristen-za-nadzor-studenata-i-politicara-u-srbiji-1991836) — Izraelski šPijunski Softver Korišten Za Nadzor Studenata I Političara U Srbiji
- [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/izraelski-spijunski-softver-koristen-protiv-aktivista-u-srbiji-uoci-izbora/2830321.aspx) — U Srbiji Uoči Izbora šPijunirani Studenti I Oporba. Korišten Israeli Pegasus
- [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-02/spyware-targeted-serbian-protest-organizers-phones-report-says) — Spyware Targeted Serbian Protest Organizers’ Phones, Report Says
- [cybernoz.com](https://cybernoz.com/pegasus-novispy-variant-spyware-found-on-devices-of-serbian-activists) — Pegasus, NoviSpy variant spyware found on devices of Serbian activists
- [EDRi](https://edri.org/our-work/students-and-opposition-politicians-targeted-by-spyware-in-serbia) — 14 students and opposition politicians targeted by spyware in Serbia - European Digital Rights (EDRi)
- [Euronews.rs](https://euronews.rs/srbija/politika/240904/studenti-u-blokadi-tvrde-da-su-spijunirani-pegasusom/vest) — Studenti Tvrde Da Su šPijunirani Pegasusom: Meta Attacks Bilo 14 Učesnika Pokręta
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/more-than-a-dozen-serbians-targeted-with-mercenary-spyware-digital-rights-group-finds) — More than a dozen Serbians targeted with mercenary spyware, digital rights group finds
- [Mašina](https://masina.rs/share-fondacija-studenti-i-opozicioni-politicari-na-meti-spijunskog-softvera) — Students and Opposition Members Targeted by Spyware
- [CyberScoop](https://cyberscoop.com/pegasus-novispy-variant-spyware-found-on-devices-of-serbian-activists) — Pegasus, NoviSpy variant spyware found on devices of Serbian activists
- [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2026/09/02/en-serbie-l-opposition-ciblee-par-le-logiciel-espion-pegasus_6764464_4408996.html) — In Serbia, the Opposition Targeted by the Spy Software Pegasus

## Questions

**How many people in Serbia were targeted with spyware?**

At least 14 people from civil society in Serbia have been targeted with advanced spyware. These individuals included members of a student movement that has been challenging the government.

**What kind of spyware was used against Serbian activists?**

Pegasus and NoviSpy were used against Serbian activists. The spyware was installed through zero-click exploits in iMessage, meaning no action was required from the target to initiate the infection.

**What is the cost of installing Pegasus spyware?**

The installation of Pegasus software is reported to cost between 50,000 and 100,000 euros. This figure was mentioned in one of the reports covering the incident.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-activists-targeted-with-advanced-spyware. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Serbian activists targeted with advanced spyware", https://mediabias.news/politics/serbian-activists-targeted-with-advanced-spyware