Affiliated media: Journalist

Incident date: December 17, 2025

Attack type:

• Wiretapping / surveillance without a court decree

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Belarusian Association of Journalists

Location: Belarus, Minsk

Additional information:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s Digital Security Lab (DSL) and RESIDENT.NGO have uncovered a previously unknown spyware tool used by the State Security Committee (KGB) of Belarus to target, among others, journalists and media workers. ResidentBat was detected on a journalist’s Android device after security forces gained physical access to it. The software gains access to call logs, microphone recordings, screen captures, SMS messages, messages from encrypted messaging apps, and locally stored files.