Rep. Summer Lee Warns of ICE Spyware Risks

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed its use of spyware capable of intercepting encrypted messages, primarily targeting fentanyl traffickers. However, Pennsylvania Congresswoman Summer Lee is sounding the alarm, warning that this invasive technology poses significant risks, particularly to Black and Brown citizens, journalists, and activists.

Concerns Over Privacy and Overreach

Lee has publicly criticized ICE for its lack of transparency regarding privacy concerns before approving the use of such powerful spyware within the United States. She specifically called out Graphite, a spyware tool owned by the Israeli company Paragon Solutions, identifying immigrants, Black and Brown communities, journalists, organizers, and anyone speaking out against government abuse as the most vulnerable populations.

“The people most at risk, including immigrants, Black and brown communities, journalists, organizers, and anyone speaking out against government abuse, deserve more than secrecy and deflection from an agency with a long record of overreach and abuse,” Lee stated in a press release. Her comments follow a letter from ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, confirming the agency’s use of various tools to disrupt terrorist organizations, especially those involved in fentanyl trafficking.

The ‘Zero-Click’ Technology and Past Abuses

Lyons approved the Graphite contract for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to utilize “zero-click” technology. This advanced capability allows access to encrypted messages on a targeted device without the user needing to click any links. Notably, Graphite was previously identified in early 2025 for targeting 90 journalists and civil society members in various countries. Researchers at The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto confirmed devices in Italy had been infected with the spyware via WhatsApp messages.

These instances have prompted Lee to demand greater transparency. “Constitutional rights do not disappear because this administration wants more surveillance power, and fear tactics cannot be used as a way to sidestep accountability, privacy, and due process,” she asserted. Lee remains committed to fighting for civil liberties, emphasizing that the Constitution should not be treated as optional.

Regulatory Gaps and National Security Risks

Experts like Maria Villegas Bravo, a lawyer with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, note that the U.S. has yet to implement sufficient regulations to prevent government misuse of such technologies. While a DHS official defended the tools as necessary for law enforcement to combat crime, Bravo highlighted the risk Graphite poses to American critical infrastructure, including telecommunications networks, by weakening the privacy of messaging applications.