Directed Inquiry
Question: Investigate Paragon Solutions: Search other for "Israeli Ministry of Defense Export License Registry". To verify if the transfer of 'Graphite' intellectual property to a US-controlled entity (REDLattice) required an unusual export exemption.. Report any findings as factual claims with dates and evidence.
Date: 2026-04-15
Research Findings
The research revealed extensive documentation of the Paragon Solutions acquisition by AE Industrial Partners and subsequent merger with REDLattice, but found no evidence of an 'unusual export exemption' for the Graphite intellectual property transfer. The Israeli Defense Export Control Agency (DECA) maintains strict oversight of defense technology exports, requiring licenses for spyware and cyber capabilities. The acquisition was approved by Israel's Ministry of Defense through standard regulatory channels. The deal structure allows Paragon to continue operating in Israel while gaining access to US markets through the REDLattice merger, suggesting the transaction followed established export control procedures rather than requiring special exemptions. No public records indicate any deviation from Israel's standard export licensing regime, which requires DECA approval for defense-related technology transfers including cyber capabilities like Graphite spyware.
Data Collected
- Entities created: Defense Export Control Agency (DECA), Racheli Chen
- Facts recorded: 7
- Connections mapped: 2
- Web sources consulted: 40
Sources
- Israel Export Control Information
- Departments | Ministry of Defense
- Export Controls and Licensing on Goods Manufactured in Israel – USCIS Guide
- Israel to relax arms export rules amid surging global demand | Ctech
- Israel MoD Proposes Easing of Restrictions for Defense Exports
- Israel - U.S. Export Controls | Privacy Shield
- Israeli Export Controls and Sanctions - a Year in Review - Lexology
- Israel export control licensing data: 31 July 2025 - GOV.UK
- Israel arms exports will require KYC and sanctions checks | The FCPA Blog
- Defense Export Control Law, 5766-2007
- Paragon Solutions - Wikipedia
- Virtue or Vice? A First Look at Paragon’s Proliferating Spyware Operations - The Citizen Lab
- Lawmakers warn that ICE's access to Graphite spyware risks freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and right to privacy - Business and Human Rights Centre
- ICE Reinstates Contract with Paragon - Infosecurity Magazine
- Spyware startup Paragon acquired for up to $900M by investment firm AE | Ctech
- REDLattice did not respond to regarding Graphite spyware use in the USA - Business and Human Rights Centre
- ICE acknowledges it is using powerful spyware : NPR
- RED Lattice acquires Israeli spyware company Paragon for $500m
- Incident 1069: Purported Graphite Spyware Linked to Paragon Solutions Allegedly Deployed Against Journalists and Civil Society Workers
- Paragon, Israel's top cybersecurity firm, sold to US investor for over $500M - Türkiye Today
- Defense Exports Control Agency (DECA)
- Is Israeli spyware a dying sector? | Ctech
- Israel must update arms export laws after NSO leak, experts say
- Amid NSO scandal, over 3,600 export licenses revoked in the past year | The Jerusalem Post
- Israel Restricts Control on Export of Cyber - Watch Expert Panel - iHLS
- Israel - U.S. Export Controls | Privacy Shield
- Israel Export Control Information
- Israel tightens regulations around cyber exports
- About DECA - אגף הפיקוח על היצוא הביטחוני - משרד הביטחון
- Israeli Civilian Dual Use Export Controls - a Opportunity for Amnesty - Lexology
- REDLattice - National Security Investment - AE Industrial Partners, LP
- AE Industrial Partners Acquires a Significant Stake in REDLattice - AE Industrial Partners, LP
- REDLattice Receives Growth Investment From AE Industrial Partners | Baird
- AE Industrial Partners Acquires a Significant Stake in REDLattice
- Us firm AE Industrial Partners acquires Paragon Solutions
- ICE Reinstates Contract with Paragon - Infosecurity Magazine
- ICE Acquires Israeli-Built Spyware Graphite, Reviving Controversial Surveillance Deal - TechStory
- REDLattice Inc. - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding
- AE Industrial Partners Boosts Cyber Investment With Stake in REDLattice – The Consulting Report
- AE will pay up to $900 million for the Israeli company Paragon | Madan