When Terry Crews, the actor, host, artist, and outspoken anti-human trafficking advocate, stepped onto the stage at the 2023 UN Human Rights Forum, few expected he’d soon be sharing a spotlight with forensic software engineers. But that’s exactly what’s happening. On October 28, 2025, Cellebrite — the Israel- and Virginia-based digital intelligence firm — announced Crews will headline its C2C User Summit 2026Washington, D.C. Marriott Marquis, a five-day gathering of global law enforcement and private sector investigators set for April 13–17, 2026. The move isn’t just publicity. It’s a deliberate signal: the fight against digital crime needs voices that reach beyond the tech world.
Why Terry Crews? It’s Not Just a Celebrity Name
Crews isn’t being brought in because he’s famous. He’s being brought in because he’s spent the last decade turning his platform into a weapon against exploitation. Through partnerships with the United Nations and the Joyful Heart Foundation, he’s helped amplify the voices of survivors, pushed for legislative change, and even testified before Congress on the digital traces left by traffickers. His advocacy isn’t performative — it’s rooted in data. He’s seen how mobile devices, encrypted apps, and cloud storage are both tools of abuse and sources of evidence. And now, Cellebrite wants him to bridge the gap between those who build the tools and those who need them most.The summit’s theme — “Digital Justice in Action” — takes on new weight with Crews at the helm. Attendees won’t just see demos of the newly integrated Corellium technology, acquired in June 2025. They’ll hear how that same technology helped investigators in Ohio trace a trafficking ring back to a single Android device in a suspect’s backpack — a case that led to 17 arrests in 2024. Crews has already reviewed anonymized versions of those files. He knows what’s at stake.
The Tech Behind the Message
Cellebrite’s roadmap over the past six months reveals a company racing to stay ahead of digital crime. On June 5, 2025, it closed the acquisition of Corellium, a startup whose virtualization software lets forensic teams analyze mobile devices without touching them — critical when evidence is encrypted or physically destroyed. By October 15, 2025, that tech was baked into its Autumn Release, enabling investigators to simulate hundreds of device models remotely. On July 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice granted Cellebrite FedRAMP ATO status — meaning federal agencies can now legally use its tools under strict security protocols. That’s a big deal. It’s the difference between a tool being useful and being trusted in courtrooms from Atlanta to Anchorage.Meanwhile, leadership changes signaled internal stability. David Barter became CFO on July 8, 2025. Holly Windham stepped in as General Counsel on October 30, 2025, just two days after the Crews announcement. And on June 24, 2025, Cellebrite integrated data feeds from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), slashing investigation times by an average of 40% in child exploitation cases, according to internal company data.
The Justys: Recognizing the Unsung Heroes
The summit will also honor the unsung heroes of digital forensics through the Digital Justice Awards (Justys). These aren’t flashy trophies. They’re given to investigators who cracked cases others thought impossible — like the Seattle detective who used metadata from a deleted TikTok video to identify a trafficker’s location across three states. Or the private-sector analyst in London who traced cryptocurrency payments back to a human trafficking ring operating under the guise of a modeling agency. The Justys are quietly powerful. And this year, Crews will personally present the award for “Best Use of Technology to Protect the Vulnerable.”Why This Matters Beyond the Tech Crowd
Let’s be clear: most people don’t know what Cellebrite does. But they’ve felt its impact. When a missing child is found. When a domestic violence victim’s phone reveals a pattern of threats. When a human trafficking survivor is reunited with family because a forensic analyst found a hidden photo album on a phone that was supposed to be wiped. That’s the real work. And Cellebrite isn’t just selling software — it’s selling a promise: that technology, when used ethically, can be a lifeline.Bringing Crews in changes the narrative. It shifts the conversation from “How does this tool work?” to “Who does this tool protect?” It humanizes the data. It reminds investigators they’re not just recovering files — they’re restoring dignity. And for a company that’s raised over $2.3 billion in market value since 2020, that’s the kind of moral clarity investors can’t buy.
What’s Next?
Registration for the C2C User Summit 2026 opens in February 2026. Cellebrite says it expects 800+ attendees from 40+ countries, including FBI cyber units, Europol’s digital forensics teams, and private sector compliance officers from tech giants like Meta and Apple. The agenda will include a special session led by Crews and survivors of trafficking, discussing how digital evidence can be collected without retraumatizing victims. There’s also talk of a public awareness campaign tied to the summit — something Crews has already begun scripting.One thing’s certain: April 2026 won’t just be about new software updates. It’ll be about redefining what justice looks like in a digital age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Terry Crews involved in a tech summit?
Terry Crews has been a vocal advocate against human trafficking for over a decade, working with the United Nations and the Joyful Heart Foundation. His involvement with Cellebrite’s summit isn’t for publicity — it’s to highlight how digital forensics directly saves lives. He’s reviewed real case files and understands how tools like Corellium help investigators find evidence without physical access to devices, making rescues faster and safer.
What is Corellium technology, and why is it important?
Corellium, acquired by Cellebrite in June 2025, allows forensic analysts to virtually simulate mobile devices — meaning they can examine encrypted or damaged phones without touching them. This is critical in child exploitation cases where physical devices may be destroyed. It’s now integrated into Cellebrite’s platform and was a key feature of its October 2025 Autumn Release, reducing investigation time by up to 40% in some cases.
Where is the C2C User Summit 2026 being held?
The summit will take place at the Washington, D.C. Marriott Marquis, located at 901 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, USA. This venue has hosted major government and tech events before, including DEF CON and RSA Conference, making it a strategic choice for an audience of federal agencies, international law enforcement, and private sector security teams.
Who will attend the summit?
Attendees include investigators from the FBI, Europol, Interpol, and local U.S. police cyber units, alongside private sector compliance officers from companies like Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. Hundreds of professionals from over 40 countries are expected, with a focus on those working in digital forensics, child protection, and cybercrime response. Registration opens in February 2026.
What are the Digital Justice Awards (Justys)?
The Justys are Cellebrite’s annual awards honoring exceptional work in digital investigations — particularly cases that protect vulnerable populations. Past winners include investigators who used metadata to trace traffickers, analysts who cracked encrypted messaging apps, and forensic teams who identified hidden child exploitation content across cloud storage. Terry Crews will personally present the award for “Best Use of Technology to Protect the Vulnerable” in 2026.
How does this relate to Cellebrite’s recent corporate changes?
Cellebrite’s leadership reshuffle in mid-to-late 2025 — including David Barter as CFO and Holly Windham as General Counsel — signals a focus on compliance and scalability. The FedRAMP ATO approval from the U.S. Department of Justice in July 2025 allows federal agencies to legally use its tools. These moves, combined with the Corellium acquisition and Crews’ involvement, show Cellebrite is positioning itself not just as a tech vendor, but as a trusted partner in ethical digital justice.
