ICE obtains access to Israeli-made spyware that hack phones and encrypted apps
8 days ago
- #national-security
- #privacy
- #surveillance
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) will gain access to Graphite, a sophisticated hacking tool developed by Paragon Solutions, enabling them to hack into any mobile phone, including encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal.
- The $2m contract with Paragon, initially paused under the Biden administration for a compliance review, has now been approved, raising concerns about civil and human rights violations.
- Graphite can track individuals, read messages, access photos, and function as a listening device, posing significant privacy and security risks.
- The Biden administration's executive order restricts the use of commercial spyware that poses security risks or enables improper use by foreign entities, yet the contract with Paragon proceeds.
- Paragon claims it only works with democracies and has policies against targeting civil society members, but it refuses to disclose its clients or monitor their use of the technology.
- Spyware like Graphite has been abused in the past to target journalists, activists, and dissidents, as seen in Italy, where Paragon terminated ties after a scandal.
- Experts warn that using foreign-made spyware introduces counterintelligence risks, as multiple governments could gain insights into US surveillance tactics.