ICE Resumes Use of Controversial 'Graphite' Spyware
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resumed use of the controversial spyware 'Graphite', following a $2 million contract reactivation with Israeli firm Paragon Solutions. This move, approved under the Trump administration, has reignited concerns about potential misuse and violations of fundamental rights.
The Biden administration previously froze the contract in 2021, citing a need to review its compatibility with U.S. anti-spyware regulations. However, the contract was reactivated in September 2025, allowing ICE to use 'Graphite' once again.
'Graphite', developed by Paragon, has a history of misuse. Over 90 individuals in several EU countries, including Italian journalist Francesco Cancellato, have been targeted. The spyware can read all data on a smartphone, including encrypted communication, and remotely activate microphones for listening.
Civil rights groups are now urging Congress to set limits on ICE's use of 'Graphite'. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has warned of serious consequences for fundamental rights and security. Paragon insists it only works with democracies and sanctions misuse, but spyware scandals have occurred in democracies, and the company refuses to disclose customer information.
The reactivation of the contract marks a shift in the U.S.'s previous stance on foreign spyware use. ICE's expanded capabilities with 'Graphite' raise concerns about potential misuse and violations of fundamental rights. As ICE resumes use of the spyware, calls for congressional oversight and regulation intensify.
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