Investigation Uncovers Potential Connections Between Law Enforcement and Military-Grade Surveillance Software
A recent investigation has revealed potential ties between Ontario’s provincial police force and an Israeli spyware developer, Paragon Solutions, raising fresh concerns about how Canadian authorities deploy cyber surveillance tools.
The report, published by the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, highlights a technical link between Paragon—which produces the spyware Graphite—and entities operating in Ontario, including one associated with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Paragon, now under US ownership, maintains a strict policy of client confidentiality and did not provide a comment on the findings.
Spyware manufacturers, including Paragon, claim their products are strictly intended for combating organised crime and terrorism. However, recent cases have exposed their use against journalists and activists. The Italian government, for instance, admitted to being a Paragon client but terminated its contract after revelations that the software had been misused against civil society figures.
The controversy surrounding spyware use in Canada dates back to 2022 when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) publicly acknowledged using surveillance software to infiltrate mobile devices—an admission that sparked debates over privacy and oversight. While officials insisted that such tools were deployed only in extreme cases, no legislative reforms followed.
The Citizen Lab report suggests that Ontario-based law enforcement agencies are increasingly adopting advanced spyware. Legal documents obtained by researchers indicate that in 2019, the OPP used a surveillance tool previously employed by the RCMP to remotely access private communications. A separate 2023 court ruling referenced a joint operation by Toronto and York regional police, where spyware technology was reportedly considered for an investigation.
Further evidence from a search warrant application revealed that Toronto Police Service had acquired an “on-device investigative tool” (ODIT), a term used in Canada for spyware, and sought authorisation to intercept encrypted messages.
Kate Robertson, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, stressed the need for transparency and legal oversight. “These findings highlight a growing gap in public awareness regarding spyware use in Canada. They raise critical questions for lawmakers and privacy regulators about how such technologies are being deployed and underscore the urgent need for legal reform,” she stated.
The report has reignited concerns over government surveillance, prompting calls for stronger regulations to prevent potential misuse of digital espionage tools.
