U.S. immigration authorities alleged to be employing an Israeli surveillance tool
In a move that has raised concerns among civil liberties advocates, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is set to be allowed to use the powerful spyware "Graphite" from the Israeli company Paragon Solutions.
The spyware, considered one of the most potent hacking tools worldwide, has been associated with several surveillance scandals in Europe. Paragon Solutions has been linked to monitoring journalists, opposition figures, and activists, according to reports.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has sharply criticized the contract for using "Graphite", warning of serious consequences for civil liberties and security. The EFF argues that the use of such a powerful spying tool by ICE could potentially be misused against government opponents.
The use of "Graphite" has been implicated in the surveillance of investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato and members of a rescue organization in Italy. It has also been reported that over 90 individuals in several EU countries have been spied upon using this spyware.
The controversy surrounding "Graphite" does not end here. The spyware can read all data on a smartphone, including encrypted communication via Signal or WhatsApp. Moreover, a phone can be turned into a bug by secretly activating the microphone with the use of "Graphite".
The contract for ICE to use "Graphite" was approved under the Trump administration. However, the Biden administration had previously frozen the deal to check its compatibility with an anti-spyware regulation.
The Israeli company Paragon has also been linked to the military offensive in Gaza City, with the UN reporting famine in the middle of the offensive. The occupation of the Gaza Strip is a topic of discussion by Cyrus Salimi-Asl, and the use of "Graphite" by ICE is a matter of controversy due to its aggressive tactics and harsh detention conditions.
Meanwhile, Lebanon has agreed to disarm the Hezbollah militia under US and Israeli pressure. A timeline for disarming the militia has been agreed upon. However, the use of "Graphite" by ICE could potentially escalate tensions in the region.
For ICE, the use of "Graphite" means a further expansion of its capabilities. The agency has been criticized for its aggressive tactics and harsh detention conditions in the past. The use of such a powerful spying tool is likely to raise further concerns about the agency's practices.
The manufacturer of "Graphite" claims that the spyware is sold only to governments. However, the implications of its use by ICE are far-reaching and have sparked a heated debate about privacy, security, and civil liberties.
