AE Industrial Partners acquires Israeli spyware provider Paragon

A significant development in the field of digital surveillance: The US investment firm AE Industrial Partners has acquired the Israeli spyware provider Paragon. Paragon, known as a competitor of the NSO Group, was founded by former Israeli intelligence personnel and is supported by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. The purchase price is estimated at around 500 million dollars but could reach up to 900 million dollars, according to Israeli media reports. AE Industrial Partners, based in Florida and specializing in national security as well as aerospace, plans to merge Paragon with the US cybersecurity company Red Lattice. This strategic agreement requires the approval of both US and Israeli authorities, which reportedly has already been granted. The announcement of the acquisition comes amid growing global concerns about the use of spyware. Recently, the US government has tightened regulations on the use of such software following reports of misuse by the NSO Group. Paragon, however, emphasizes its ethical guidelines and only works with government agencies that meet the standards of enlightened democracies. A recently disclosed contract with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, valued at 2 million US dollars, underscores Paragon's increasing relevance in the international market.