The eyes of many peeking inside of your device.
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Why does Israeli assist Australian forces?

POLICE FORENSIC TOOLS

Police forces across Australia are increasingly turning to advanced digital forensic technology to investigate crime, raising new questions about privacy, transparency, and the balance between ‘public safety’ and personal data protection.

Among the most widely recognised tools is technology developed by Israeli digital intelligence company Cellebrite, whose products are used by police all across the world.

Australian police organisations, including NSW Police and Queensland Police, have publicly acknowledged using Cellebrite technology as part of their digital investigations.

They say Cellebrite’s systems are designed as ‘forensic tools’, rather than spyware.

‘Tools’ that are intended to extract and analyse information from mobile phones and other digital devices that have already come into police possession through lawful processes.

Police agencies say the technology helps investigators gather evidence in cases ranging from serious organised crime and homicide, to fraud and child protection investigations.

Unlike spyware, which is designed to secretly infiltrate a device and monitor a person remotely, digital forensic tools are generally used after a device has been seized, surrendered, or otherwise obtained under legal authority.

They can allow investigators to access information such as messages, photographs, application data, call records, and location information relevant to an investigation.

The expansion of these capabilities reflects the changing nature of crime in the digital age.

Smartphones have become central repositories of personal information, and police increasingly regard mobile devices as important sources of evidence. As a result, digital forensic units have become a standard part of law enforcement operations in Australia.

In NSW, publicly released figures show the scale at which the technology is being used. NSW Police conducted almost 30,800 phone extractions between July 2022 and June 2025 – and had 160 Cellebrite kits deployed across police locations by 2025.

The force has stated that Cellebrite products are used for digital forensic purposes and not to conduct covert surveillance, despite the concerns of many civil liberty campaigners.

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Queensland Police has also publicly referenced its use of Cellebrite technology, including in major criminal investigations – boasting a 97 per cent ‘solve rate’ due to the system.

Other Australian police agencies, including Victoria Police, South Australia Police, Western Australia Police, Tasmania Police, and the Australian Federal Police, operate digital forensic capabilities, although details about specific tools are not always publicly available.

The increasing use of phone extraction technology has prompted debate.

Modern smartphones contain extensive personal information, including private conversations, financial records, photographs, medical information, and detailed location histories. The ability to access this data creates concerns about oversight and misuse.

Especially when we can already see examples of this occurring.

Internationally, Cellebrite has faced criticism after allegations that some customers have used its technology in ways that go beyond ordinary ‘digital forensics’.

Human rights organisations have raised concerns about possible misuse of phone extraction tools in some countries, with Cellebrite claiming to investigate customers who may do this.

For Australian law enforcement, digital forensic technology has become an increasingly important investigative resource.

But can we trust that police are accessing valuable digital evidence while ensuring that powerful tools are used lawfully, proportionately, and with appropriate oversight?

As Australians become increasingly dependent on smartphones for everyday life, the debate over digital policing is likely to continue.

So, too, will criticisms over the entanglement of Israeli technology and influence in our domestic systems – whether it be police, governments, media, and more.

Since when did so much of our sovereign power and capabilities become dictated by foreign nations and the hands of outside influences?

THE INFILTRATED WEB

Australians have become increasingly concerned with how our country has been sold off, infiltrated, manipulated, and controlled in recent years.

Especially in relation to allowing foreign nations to provide us with technology that may or may not have backdoors installed for greater domestic surveillance from abroad.

It isn’t just police that have adopted the use of Cellebrite technology in Australia.

In 2021, Services Australia paid $1.2 million to the intelligence software company to aid in “investigations into fraud and other criminal behaviour”.

We all know how ‘robodebt’ targeting schemes ended up going for many citizens.

Cellebrite DI Ltd. originated in Israel in 1999, when it was founded in Petah Tikva, Israel by Avi Yablonka, Yaron Baratz, and Yuval Aflalo.

The company began by developing mobile phone data transfer and synchronisation technology – tools used by carriers to move content from one handset to another.

As mobile phones became increasingly important sources of evidence, the company shifted its expertise toward mobile device extraction and digital investigations.

In 2007, Cellebrite created a dedicated mobile forensics division, developing tools for law enforcement, intelligence agencies, military organisations, enterprises, and investigators.

Could we not come up with our own version of this technology?

Why are we constantly reliant on foreign countries – usually Israel – for this?

Why do our intelligence agencies continue to expand our alliance with Israel?

Let’s not forget that in March, an undisclosed meeting between Australia’s top ASIO official and Israel’s President occurred during his post-Bondi visit to Canberra.

ASIO chief held undisclosed meeting with Israeli President during visit
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The Israeli government has offered to train senior Australian police officers in Israel as part of efforts to ‘combat terrorism and antisemitism’ in the wake of the Bondi event as well.

Israel offers to train Australian police following Bondi event
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Why the reliance on such a small nation half way across the world?

Our governments have signed multiple memorandums of cooperation with Israel, allowing the country to support management programs and help inform policies.