Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement revived a contract with a company known for making spyware
that can remotely hack into phones.
The move last year raised concerns among privacy and civil liberties advocates.
But as NPR's Ju Jaffe Block reports,
the Department of Homeland Security now says ICE has no relationship with the Israeli-founded company.
Paragon Solutions makes a spyware tool that can remotely hack into devices without the target clicking a link.
ICE's $2 million contract with the company for an unspecified product was first signed in 2024,
but the Biden administration swiftly put the contract on hold.
The Trump administration revived it last year,
but the contract was closed out in January, according to a notice on a procurement website.
DHS told NPR in a statement that ICE has no new contract with Paragon Solutions and no relationship with the company.
Or the company that acquired it.
DHS declined to clarify whether ICE still has access to Paragon-developed tools, such as through a third party.
Jude Jaffe Block, NPR News.
Stocks on Wall Street rose this week on the back of solid corporate earnings.
But as NPR's Scott Horsley reports, the bond market flashed some warning signs.
All the major stock indexes gained ground during the week,
with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at a record high.
Some of the nation's major retailers reported encouraging sales gains,