Ontario police linked to Israeli spyware, report claims

A new report by Citizen Lab from the University of Toronto suggests that Israeli spyware may have been used by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Researchers linked an IP address from a client of Paragon Solutions, which sells the spyware program called Graphite, to the OPP's headquarters in Toronto. Graphite is known for targeting the messaging apps of individuals, such as journalists and activists, rather than the entire device. The report indicates that the spyware has been used against various members of civil society, raising concerns about privacy and security in Canada. Citizen Lab's findings also mention that similar suspected spyware activities were traced to four other locations in Ontario, including a strip mall and a brewery. Although the OPP did not confirm using Paragon's services, its spokesperson stated that the police aim to operate within the law and only use tools that respect citizens' rights. Paragon Solutions was founded in 2019 by notable figures in Israel's security sector. The company markets its spyware as a sophisticated tool for government agencies to enhance national security measures. Recently, WhatsApp warned its users about potential spying attempts using Paragon's technology, particularly through its messaging service. The use of similar spyware technologies has been acknowledged by other Canadian law enforcement bodies, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) admitting to using it in limited circumstances. However, debates around the regulation of such spyware are ongoing, with no specific Canadian legislation currently in place. Experts and researchers are calling for greater transparency and regulation concerning the use of spyware by law enforcement. They argue that the implications of such technologies on civil liberties and privacy must be critically assessed to ensure the safety of all citizens.