Canadian provincial police appear to be using advanced commercial spyware

Summary: A report by the Citizen Lab indicates that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Canada may be using advanced commercial spyware called Graphite, developed by Paragon Solutions. This spyware has been linked to past infections of devices on platforms like WhatsApp, raising concerns among privacy advocates about its usage and oversight. The report highlights a growing trend of local law enforcement agencies utilizing commercial spyware without adequate accountability measures.

Affected: Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

Keypoints :

• Citizen Lab’s report reveals connections between the OPP and Paragon’s spyware Graphite.
• Graphite has previously targeted more than 90 WhatsApp users, raising alarm over its potential misuse.
• Concerns persist about the lack of oversight for local police using spyware, especially in democratic nations like Canada.
• Paragon Solutions was founded by former Israeli intelligence operatives and operates with minimal public exposure.
• Recent contracts, such as one with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, highlight the broader implications of such technologies.