Italian Journalist Targeted by Spyware Sparks National and International Outcry

May 01, 2025 – Italy – 

In early 2025, Italian investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.it, was notified by WhatsApp that his phone had been compromised by Graphite spyware, developed by Israeli firm Paragon Solutions. This military-grade spyware can infiltrate devices without user interaction, accessing encrypted messages and sensitive data. Cancellato, known for exposing neo-fascist elements within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, expressed feeling “violated” but refrained from speculating on the perpetrators.

The breach wasn’t isolated. Luca Casarini, founder of the migrant rescue NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, also received a similar alert. Both individuals have been critical of the Italian government’s policies, particularly concerning migration and far-right ideologies.

Following these revelations, Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency initiated an investigation. Cabinet Minister Luca Ciriani acknowledged the government’s longstanding contract with Paragon for national security purposes but denied any illegal surveillance of journalists or activists. He emphasized adherence to legal protocols and suggested that any misuse would be subject to judicial scrutiny.

However, the situation escalated when Paragon Solutions terminated its contract with Italy, citing a breach of terms that prohibit targeting civil society members. This move intensified scrutiny over the government’s surveillance practices.

International organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned the surveillance, urging the Italian government to ensure transparency and uphold journalistic freedoms. They stressed the importance of protecting journalists from such intrusive technologies, which pose significant risks to democratic principles.

This incident underscores the growing concerns over the use of advanced surveillance tools against journalists and activists, prompting calls for stricter regulations and oversight to safeguard civil liberties.

Reference – 

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/05/04/second-italian-journalist-allegedly-spied-on-with-mercenary-spyware/

2nd Italian investigative journalist targeted with smartphone spyware

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/01/second-italian-journalist-allegedly-targeted-with-mercenary-spyware