ICE acknowledges it is using powerful spyware

NPR
by Jude Joffe-Block
April 7, 2026
4 views
1 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

ICE admits to using powerful spyware to intercept encrypted messages from fentanyl traffickers.

How This Affects You

The government's use of powerful spyware raises concerns about the privacy rights and surveillance capabilities affecting all individuals.

AI Summary

ICE's top official indicated in a letter sent last week that the agency is using a powerful spyware tool. The tool is being used to intercept encrypted messages of fentanyl traffickers. This acknowledgment was made to members of Congress.

What's Being Done

ICE acknowledged its use of spyware in a letter to members of Congress.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Nigerian military and officials say at least 26 killed in 3 weekend attacks on civilians and police - AP News
National Security

Nigerian military and officials say at least 26 killed in 3 weekend attacks on civilians and police - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxNRFE5dDlXOXRNV29NR01LMU5YYUtFMHdHVDh2clotOXNFX3Z3VU5qSFlza0RwTF9TbFNaVFpxVzdUUlJzLWZOVm44TmkzNV9RNmJid3V3TGhkM1hIYVRab3VRUWl3aGUxRGJiOGx3R2RVbWM2bFVMcU5Da2lRa1RFZXBMZ0hCcHlzN2F4aENrcGtLQzBk?oc=5" target="_blank">Nigerian military and officials say at least 26 killed in 3 weekend attacks on civilians and police</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 6
New video contradicts ICE's original story about North Minneapolis shooting
Government Transparency

New video contradicts ICE's original story about North Minneapolis shooting

<p>Newly released video contradicts federal claims that two Venezuelan immigrants assaulted an <a href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" target="_blank">ICE</a> agent with a snow shovel before an agent shot one of them during <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/03/27/ice-metro-surge-random-stop-survey" target="_blank">Operation Metro Surge</a>.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> The footage raises questions about why it took federal officials weeks to back off from their original story about — and drop criminal charges against — the wounded Julio Sosa-Celis and his roommate, Alfredo Aljorna.</p><hr><ul><li>The New York Times, which was first to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/us/minnesota-ice-shooting-video.html" target="_blank">publish</a> the video, reported that authorities had access to the footage "within hours of the shooting."</li></ul><p><strong>The big picture:</strong> Minneapolis was on edge when the agents shot Sosa-Cel...

AxiosApr 6
California man shot by ICE says officials falsely labeled him a gang member
Civil Rights

California man shot by ICE says officials falsely labeled him a gang member

<p>Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez was hit by more than six bullets, says lawyer, with ICE facing scrutiny over shooting</p><p>A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/california">California</a> man shot by US immigration agents said officials have falsely accused him of being a gang member and that officers fired on him without justification during a traffic stop.</p><p>Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, 36, was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/07/ice-agents-shooting-california">pulled over and shot</a> by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Tuesday in Patterson, a rural agricultural town in California’s central valley. Patrick Kolasinski, Hernandez’s attorney, visited him in the hospital on Thursday morning and summarized his client’s comments.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/09/california-ice-shooting-man-accusation">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsApr 9
ICE officers shoot man in California immigration stop
Civil Rights

ICE officers shoot man in California immigration stop

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers shot and injured a man during an attempted stop in California on Tuesday, according to federal authorities. The officers fired shots at Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez during a targeted traffic stop on Interstate 5 in the city of Patterson. His attorney said he is now hospitalized and “fighting for…

The HillApr 8
Key Fed official sees possible rate hike amid higher gas prices, inflation concerns - AP News
Finance

Key Fed official sees possible rate hike amid higher gas prices, inflation concerns - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxNS0t3MjZSMlpPbEc2N18xV2VwRlBINm1nR09OeE53U2dSSTZhdHlJd181bGsyNlhzYXY0V1NLcHUwZGtWblNDLW1nTTNOc3pjcnRsRVJNd2YtS0pkNjlsb09YbnpKa2RzZmtBTUdFeTZNUTBmb2Ftd2UtRjJ1QTBaQjg5QlEwdXRLeEF0VWZDOUFmT1g4MFZWMjdBcjY3TVZ1SWc?oc=5" target="_blank">Key Fed official sees possible rate hike amid higher gas prices, inflation concerns</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 6
Sisters of officer killed by Dezi Freeman plan to sue police for negligence, lawyer says
Civil Rights

Sisters of officer killed by Dezi Freeman plan to sue police for negligence, lawyer says

<p>Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk tell Victoria police in letter ‘we did not expect to feel invisible’ after Neal Thompson’s death</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The sisters of Neal Thompson, one of the two police officers shot dead by Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah last August, plan to sue Victoria police for negligence after an inquest into the officers’ deaths, their lawyer says.</p><p>Police accountability lawyer Jeremy King, who is representing Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk, confirmed on Sunday that the sisters would bring a negligence claim against Victoria police after the conclusion of a coronial inquest. A date for the inquest has not yet been announced.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/...

The Guardian World NewsApr 5
Read Next
US draft 2026: Automatic military draft registration takes effect in December under Trump administration. Here's how it would work - ABC7 Los Angeles
National Security

US draft 2026: Automatic military draft registration takes effect in December under Trump administration. Here's how it would work - ABC7 Los Angeles

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources