"The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has reactivated a $2 million contract with Paragon Solutions, an Israeli-founded spyware company whose products can hack any cell phone. The agreement includes a fully configured software package, including licensing, hardware, training, and ongoing maintenance. The original contract with Paragon was signed in September 2024 during the Biden administration, but was put on hold after reports emerged that the technology, known as Graphite, had been misused abroad."
"Graphite is one of the most powerful commercial spy tools available. Once installed, it can take complete control of the target's phone and extract text messages, emails, and photos; infiltrate encrypted apps like Signal and WhatsApp; access cloud backups; and covertly activate microphones to turn smartphones into listening devices. Although companies like Paragon insist their tools are intended to combat terrorism and organized crime, past use suggests otherwise."
ICE reactivated a $2 million contract with Paragon Solutions that supplies Graphite spyware along with licensing, hardware, training, and ongoing maintenance. The original September 2024 contract was suspended after reports that Graphite had been misused abroad. A March 2023 executive order restricts agencies from using spyware vendors whose tools pose counterintelligence or security risks or have been misused to suppress dissent. AE Industrial Partners acquired Paragon and merged it with REDLattice, creating U.S. ownership and ties to former CIA and military personnel, and ICE's Homeland Security Investigations cyber division lifted the suspension on August 29. Graphite can fully control phones and extract encrypted and cloud data.
Read at english.elpais.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]