{
  "version": "3.33",
  "compiled": "2026-10-09",
  "site": "https://stateofwatch.com",
  "claim": {
    "id": "lyons-paragon",
    "section": 1,
    "title": "ICE's acting director approves spyware tools to get into encrypted messages",
    "date": "Apr 1, 2026",
    "sort": "2026-04-01",
    "status": "verified",
    "checked": "3.31",
    "note": "NPR's, CyberScoop's and TechCrunch's accounts of the letter read directly (Oct 3, 2026); none says the letter names Paragon or Graphite. Bloomberg first reported it.",
    "category": "contract",
    "summary": "In an April 1, 2026 letter to three House Democrats, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said he had approved \"cutting-edge technological tools\" against encrypted messaging in fentanyl cases. He did not name the tool. The lawmakers had asked about Graphite, phone-hacking spyware made by Paragon Solutions, and reporters connected the two.",
    "body": "ICE acting director Lyons's letter authorized HSI \"cutting-edge technological tools\" to intercept encrypted messages, citing fentanyl trafficking and foreign-terrorist-organization concerns as the stated rationale. The letter did not name Graphite; reporters identified it.",
    "quotes": [],
    "sources": [
      {
        "label": "NPR, Apr 7, 2026",
        "url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/07/nx-s1-5776799/ice-spyware-privacy"
      },
      {
        "label": "CyberScoop, Apr 2, 2026",
        "url": "https://cyberscoop.com/ice-using-paragon-spyware-house-democrats-letter/"
      },
      {
        "label": "Bloomberg, Apr 1, 2026 (first reported)",
        "url": "https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-01/ice-tells-lawmakers-its-using-spyware-in-fight-against-fentanyl"
      },
      {
        "label": "IBTimes UK, Sept 3, 2026 (procurement history)",
        "url": "https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ice-use-paragon-graphite-spyware-concerns-1817818"
      },
      {
        "label": "USAspending: ICE contract 70CTD024P00000012 with Paragon Solutions (US)",
        "primary": true,
        "url": "https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CTD024P00000012_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-"
      }
    ],
    "places": [],
    "url": "https://stateofwatch.com/claims/lyons-paragon"
  }
}