Cellebrite's 2026 Industry Trends Report Reveals Smartphones as the Leading Source of Digital Evidence in Investigations at 97% - Yahoo Finance

This is a paid press release. Contact the press release distributor directly with any inquiries. Cellebrite's 2026 Industry Trends Report Reveals Smartphones as the Leading Source of Digital Evidence in Investigations at 97% PR Newswire February 5, 2026 5 min read CLBT -6.09% 97% cite smartphones as top evidence source, up 24 points from 2024 95% agree digital evidence increases solvability, yet 94% say complexity strains caseloads 65% believe AI can accelerate investigations, but one-third say policies prevent its use Cloud receptiveness hit 42%, yet two-thirds still rely on physical media TYSONS CORNER, Va. and PETAH TIKVA, Israel, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellebrite (NASDAQ: CLBT), a global leader in AI-powered Digital Investigative and Intelligence solutions for the public and private sectors, today unveiled its 2026 Industry Trends Report, which surveyed 1,200 practitioners across 63 countries, marking the company's seventh annual report on how organizations collect, manage and analyze digital evidence. Cellebrite Logo (PRNewsfoto/Cellebrite) Smartphones: Critical to Investigations Smartphones are more relevant to investigations than ever before, with 97% of investigators citing them as the top source of digital evidence, up 24 points from 73% in 2024. This increase mirrors public expectations, as 97% of agency managers say communities expect digital evidence to be used in most cases. AI Adoption: Strong Interest, Uneven Policy Support Artificial intelligence (AI) is an increasingly important technology for enhancing the speed and efficiency of investigations. Sixty-five percent of public safety respondents believe AI can accelerate investigations, yet nearly a third of these respondents report their agency's policies prevent AI's use. Two-thirds of respondents cite review time as the biggest barrier to moving cases, yet AI can solve this, with respondents agreeing one of its best features is quickly analyzing communications to identify links between people. Public Safety: Capacity Strained as Digital Evidence Becomes Universal Public safety findings show 95% agree digital evidence increases case solvability, while 94% say complexity is straining caseloads. However, only 62% of agency leaders are shifting resources from legacy to digital methods. This gap between recognition and action underscores the modernization challenge agencies face. "The relationship between the public and the police is fundamental," stated Matt Scott, a U.K. Police and Crime Commissioner. "As new technology is introduced, it is important that the public's consent is sought and that appropriate safeguards are put in place to ensure that decision making remains in the hands of officers and staff. The relationship between the public and the police is fundamental. Any use of AI or automation in policing should follow consultation with the public and be applied only where appropriate and where it can responsibly support productivity." Story Continues View Comments Terms and Privacy Policy Privacy Dashboard