In Congress, I am working with my Democratic colleagues to demand an answer to a critical question: Why is Trump’s ICE using foreign-made spyware to gain access to Americans’ cell phones?
I am deeply concerned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has activated a contract with Paragon Solutions, an Israeli company that produces surveillance software called Graphite. This software can gain unauthorized access to cell phones without the owner's consent or knowledge, including encrypted applications, location data, messages, and photographs. It’s as simple as receiving a message on a platform like WhatsApp to become infected – no clicks required.
Given Trump and his administration’s complete disregard for our constitutional rights and desire to implement mass deportations, I am concerned that ICE will abuse this tool to spy on immigrants, people of color, and anyone who speaks in opposition to ICE’s blatant and frequent abuse of power.
Graphite has already been reportedly used to spy on French President Emmanuel Macron, a Saudi journalist, and other prominent activists and academics. This is a human rights, privacy, and national security issue.
ICE has been lawless and reckless under Trump, and we need answers on whether ICE will respect 4th Amendment protections against warrantless search and seizure for people in the US.
Together,
Shontel Brown
Shontel Brown is proud to be elected as the Congresswoman for Ohio’s 11th District. She has spent the last decade serving the people of Ohio and building coalitions. As she enters her second full term in Congress, she will use that experience to continue the fight for affordable quality health care, jobs that pay fair wages, a strong public education system, and to preserve and protect our democracy for generations to come. Will you join her and be the change we need?
