The acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement informed lawmakers of the purchase and use of Paragon Solutions’ spyware in drug trafficking cases, as noted in a letter obtained by TechCrunch. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons confirmed that the agency’s Homeland Security Investigations unit uses advanced tools to tackle exploitation of encrypted communication by terrorist organizations, indirectly addressing the use of spyware. Law enforcement’s inability to access encrypted data often necessitates the use of computer and cellphone spyware for major cases, though critics highlight its misuse against journalists, politicians, and civil society members. Lyons assured that ICE’s spyware use complies with constitutional guidelines, minimizing security and counterintelligence risks or potential misuse by foreign governments.
Bloomberg initially reported ICE’s letter regarding the use of spyware. In 2024, ICE signed a contract with Paragon Solutions, halted by the Biden administration to review compliance with an executive order restricting spyware usage by U.S. agencies. The block was lifted in September 2025, but ICE’s intentions remained unclear until now.
Paragon has been involved in a scandal in Italy, targeting journalists and activists with its spyware, Graphite, last year, resulting in the suspension of Italy’s use of Paragon tools. Democrat Rep. Summer Lee, who requested details from ICE, criticized the deployment of intrusive spyware domestically, questioning the agency’s assurances and justifications. She emphasized that vulnerable groups deserve transparency rather than secrecy from an agency with a history of overreach. Paragon and ICE did not respond to requests from TechCrunch for comments on the matter.