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ICE unit signs new $3M contract for phone-hacking tech

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is once again investing heavily in surveillance tools. This week, an ICE unit signed a new $3M contract for phone-hacking tech with Magnet Forensics, the maker of the Graykey smartphone unlocking device.

Image Credits:Magnet Forensics

The federal contract, listed in a government procurement database, covers software licenses that allow ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to recover digital evidence, process multiple devices, and generate forensic reports. Officials say these tools are “essential to protecting national security and the public.”

What the $3M contract really means

While the database doesn’t name the product, experts suggest the deal refers to Graykey. This forensic system specializes in bypassing smartphone security to extract encrypted data.

Graykey was originally developed by Grayshift but became part of Magnet Forensics after a 2023 acquisition by private equity firm Thoma Bravo. With the merger, ICE now has access to one of the most advanced phone-hacking tools available.

Other recent ICE tech deals

The ICE unit signing a $3M contract for phone-hacking tech isn’t the agency’s only investment in digital surveillance. Procurement records show several other recent contracts with Magnet Forensics and partners, including:

• $145,000 for Magnet Griffeye Enterprise, a platform for analyzing evidence.

• $90,000 for Graykey Premier software renewals in Detroit.

• $57,000 for Graykey licenses to support HSI investigations.

• $12,000 for Magnet Forensics software in Charlotte.

These contracts highlight ICE’s ongoing reliance on private tech vendors to strengthen its investigative reach.

Why ICE’s phone-hacking tools raise concerns

Civil liberties advocates argue that ICE’s expanding tech arsenal poses risks to privacy and transparency. Alongside phone-hacking tools, ICE has contracts for:

• Facial recognition from Clearview AI.

• Spyware from Paragon.

• Data analytics from Palantir.

Critics say such technologies are increasingly used to power ICE’s controversial deportation operations, often without adequate oversight.

What’s next for ICE and Magnet Forensics?

Magnet Forensics declined to comment on the deal, while ICE confirmed receiving questions but did not provide details. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also did not respond.

With this new $3M contract for phone-hacking tech, ICE signals its continued commitment to expanding surveillance capabilities—raising pressing questions about accountability, privacy, and the balance between security and civil rights.