Ontario Police Accused of Using Secret Spyware to Access Smartphones
Report raises privacy concerns after claims that investigators can remotely access phones during criminal investigations
By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | May 19, 2026
Police services in Ontario are facing growing scrutiny after reports emerged alleging that authorities are using advanced spyware technology capable of remotely accessing smartphones during criminal investigations, sparking renewed concerns about privacy, surveillance, and public accountability. According to investigations cited by the Toronto Star and digital rights researchers, the spyware allows law enforcement to covertly gain access to targeted devices under court authorization in serious cases.
The technology, described in Canadian legal documents as an “On-Device Investigative Tool” (ODIT), reportedly allows investigators to secretly collect electronic evidence from smartphones, including communications and device activity, after judicial approval is granted. Privacy advocates say such tools can effectively give authorities remote access to targeted devices, intensifying debates about digital rights and state surveillance.
A report by the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab suggested there is a growing ecosystem of spyware capability among Ontario-based police services, including possible links involving the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Researchers pointed to public court records indicating that some Ontario police agencies have considered or used advanced investigative tools capable of intercepting private communications during criminal investigations.
The spyware under scrutiny has been linked to Paragon Solutions, an Israeli-founded company that develops surveillance technology known as Graphite for government clients. Researchers say public evidence suggests possible technical links between Ontario law enforcement infrastructure and the company’s systems, though no public evidence has shown misuse by Ontario police.
Ontario Provincial Police officials have defended the use of investigative tools, stating that interception of private communications in Canada requires judicial authorization and is only used in serious criminal investigations under strict legal standards. Police maintain that investigative technologies are deployed in accordance with Canadian law and constitutional protections.
The revelations have reignited concerns among privacy experts and civil rights advocates, who argue that stronger public oversight and updated laws are needed to regulate digital surveillance powers in Canada. Critics warn that secretive use of spyware risks undermining public trust if transparency and accountability remain limited.
Meanwhile, lawmakers and legal experts continue debating whether existing privacy legislation adequately protects citizens in an era of increasingly sophisticated surveillance technology.
