GoKawiilParagon CEO says firm dropped Italy contracts over 'risk,' not proven misuse
Paragon Solutions, the spyware maker acquired by US firm AE Industrial Partners in late 2024 and merged with RedLattice, canceled two intelligence contracts with Italy after WhatsApp alleged its Graphite spyware infected over 60 phones across 20-plus countries, including journalists and activists. RedLattice CEO Andrew Boyd told WIRED the company never investigated the abuse allegations or verified them with WhatsApp or Citizen Lab, and instead ended the Italy relationship purely because it was deemed too risky to maintain. Italian authorities have denied any wrongdoing.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The CEO's admission suggests Paragon's much-publicized pledge to cut off customers who misuse its spyware may function more as a reputational safeguard than an enforced policy, since the company acted without confirming whether abuse actually occurred. This could raise questions for regulators and human rights groups about how much oversight spyware vendors genuinely exercise over government clients, especially as Paragon's new US ownership pursues a public listing for RedLattice.
- Paragon canceled Italian intelligence contracts after WhatsApp's spyware abuse allegations, without investigating or confirming them.
- RedLattice's CEO says the decision was based on business risk, not evidence of misuse.
- Italian authorities deny any wrongdoing, while Citizen Lab identified specific journalists and activists allegedly targeted.
Source: wired.com — Kim Zetter, 2026-10-01
Published there as: “The Secrets of the US Spyware King”
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