ICE says it bought Paragon’s spyware to use in drug trafficking cases

The acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed to lawmakers that the agency has acquired and utilized spyware from Paragon Solutions specifically for drug trafficking investigations. In a letter obtained by TechCrunch, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons informed three congressional representatives about his approval for the agency's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit to deploy advanced technological tools aimed at tackling the exploitation of encrypted communication platforms by foreign terrorist organizations. The challenge of accessing encrypted data has frequently been cited as a reason for law enforcement's reliance on spyware to handle significant criminal cases, allowing them to extract data directly from suspects' devices. However, the use of such technology has sparked criticism from human rights advocates, who highlight the troubling trend of journalists, politicians, and civil society members being targeted by governments using commercial spyware. In his correspondence, Lyons assured that ICE's deployment of spyware would adhere to constitutional standards. He also stated that he certified that the operational use of the tool by HSI does not present significant security risks or the potential for misuse by foreign entities. Bloomberg first disclosed ICE's communication with lawmakers regarding the acquisition. In 2024, ICE entered into a contract with Paragon Solutions, a U.S.-Israeli company, but the Biden administration swiftly suspended the agreement to evaluate its compliance with an executive order that limits the use of spyware by U.S. agencies, particularly concerning potential human rights violations. By September 2025, ICE had lifted the suspension and resumed the contract, although it had not been clarified until now whether the agency intended to employ Paragon's spyware. Paragon itself has faced scrutiny due to a scandal in Italy, where it was revealed that journalists and pro-immigration activists were targeted with its spyware tool, Graphite. In light of this, Paragon halted its services to Italian intelligence agencies. Congresswoman Summer Lee, one of the lawmakers who sought clarification from ICE, expressed concerns about the agency's use of invasive spyware within the United States. She criticized the Department of Homeland Security for providing vague assurances instead of addressing the significant constitutional and civil rights issues raised. Lee emphasized that vulnerable populations, including immigrants, communities of color, journalists, and activists, deserve transparency rather than secrecy from an agency with a history of overreach and abuse. Both Paragon and ICE have not responded to requests for comments regarding the spyware's application.