Commentary

• 2025.09.02 The Guardian - ICE obtains access to Israeli-made spyware that can hack phones and encrypted apps

  The Guardian reports on the contract between ICE and Paragon, stating that it would allow ICE to access highly sophisticated spyware that can hack into any phone for sensitive information, including data on encrypted applications. DHS first entered the contract with Paragon in late 2024, but the contract was paused pending compliance review to ensure that it adhered to an executive order restricting the government’s use of spyware. First Amendment scholars, legal advocates, and elected officials have raised concerns over the spyware's threat to free speech and privacy, as well as counterintelligence risks.

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• 2025.09.29 Reason - ICE Doesn't Want You To Know Why They Bought a Phone Cracking System

  Reason reports that ICE "has been massively expanding its domestic surveillance capabilities without a public explanation." Reason notes that ICE has offered only vague justifications for its recent technology contracts, such as with Paragon, and heavily redacted information in public documents on the technology's capabilities and purposes. Companies like Cellebrite have also asked police to keep use of their devices "as hush hush as possible."

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• 2025.10.06 House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Letter to DHS Secretary Noem re Spyware

  Representatives Summer Lee, Shontel Brown, and Yassamin Ansari led a letter sent to DHS Secretary Noem discussing concerns about ICE's contract with Paragon Solutions, particularly its surveillance product Graphite. The letter argues that the contract threatens privacy, constitutional protections, and civil liberties. The lawmakers worry "ICE will abuse Graphite software to target immigrants, people of color, and individuals who express opposition to ICE's repeated attacks on the rule of law."

  The letter requests greater transparency and access to:

  1. "All communications and documents discussing ICE's use of spyware, including but not limited to Paragon Solutions software like Graphite;"
  2. "All communications and documents regarding the legality of and legal justification for using spyware or mass electronic surveillance for immigration enforcement;"
  3. "A comprehensive list of data surveillance targets and ICE's strategy for deploying spyware or mass data surveillance within the United States; and"
  4. "All communications and documents regarding the legality of using spyware against individuals residing within the United States given Executive Order 14093."
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