ICE Has a $2 Million Contract for Spyware That Can Hack Phones Without a Click

Published Sep 1, 2026, 10:58 AM EDT

ICE Has a $2 Million Contract for Spyware That Can Hack Phones Without a Click

ICE has a $2 million contract with Paragon, maker of Graphite, powerful spyware capable of secretly compromising phones without a single click.

Graphite is a powerful commercial spyware product capable of entering a smartphone without its owner clicking a link, opening an attachment or knowingly downloading anything. Developed by Paragon Solutions, the technology has been connected to surveillance targeting journalists and immigration activists in Europe. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also holds a $2 million contract with Paragon, raising questions about how American authorities may use the technology.

How Graphite Secretly Compromises Phones