Italy faces backlash over alleged spyware use on journalists & activists. Paragon Solutions cuts ties, while the government denies involvement.
Spyware Scandal Rocks Italy
Italy is now shaken by a massive spyware scandal, as hackers used sophisticated hacking tools to secretly monitor journalists and activists. Following the discovery of ethical breaches due to the misuse of its spyware, Israeli cybersecurity firm Paragon Solutions cut ties with its Italian clients.
Paragon Solutions Terminates Contract
According to The Guardian, Paragon Solutions terminated its agreement after learning that its Graphite spyware had been used to monitor WhatsApp users without consent. The company indicated that Italy had contravened the principles of ethics in their contract. Reporters and activists campaigning against the Italian government were reportedly the main targets.
WhatsApp’s Revelations and Global Impact
Recently, WhatsApp revealed that 90 users in different countries had been targeted by the Graphite spyware. This malware allows hackers to hijack mobile devices without any user interaction. Italy later confirmed that at least seven of its citizens had been affected. The government labeled the incident as “particularly serious.”
Italian Government Denies Involvement
Giorgia Meloni’s office strongly denies reports of governments having a hand in the surveillance. The administration claims that no surveillance of journalists or activists occurred on behalf of the government without authorization. To which the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) is now probing the claims.
However, the opposition leaders have voiced deep concern. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, said, “The idea that journalists are being spied on is an attack on democracy. If even a cybersecurity firm ended its contract for ethical reasons, this scandal is extremely alarming.”
Confirmed Victims of the Spyware Attack
Three individuals in Italy have publicly confirmed being targeted:
- Francesco Cancellato, investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of Fanpage.
- Husam El Gomati, a Libyan activist based in Sweden.
- Luca Casarini, founder of the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, which has frequently clashed with Meloni’s government over migration policies.
How the Spyware Works?
Reports indicate that the victims were hacked through “zero-click” attacks, meaning their phones were compromised without them opening any suspicious links or files. WhatsApp detected these breaches after analyzing cyberattacks on users in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, and Belgium.
A WhatsApp representative condemned the situation as well, saying, “This is another example of why spyware companies must be held accountable. We will continue to protect people’s right to private communication.”
Growing Concern Regarding Government Surveillance
The scandal has sparked intense debate about government surveillance and the ethical use of cyberweapons. Paragon Solutions, like NSO Group (creator of Pegasus spyware), claims its tools are intended for counterterrorism and crime prevention. However, critics argue that such technology is increasingly misused to silence dissent.
What’s Next for Italy?
The pressure mounted on the Italian government to come clean on their role in this controversy. Whether state agencies were aware that Paragon’s spyware was used against citizens or not would soon be found out through further investigation. Case studies of this type are currently setting the stage for discussions worldwide over privacy rights and digital security.
