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May 04, 2025 – Italy –
Recent reports have uncovered that multiple Italian journalists and activists have been targeted with advanced spyware, raising serious concerns about press freedom and government surveillance.
In May 2025, Ciro Pellegrino, a journalist at the investigative outlet Fanpage, received a notification from Apple indicating his device had been compromised by “mercenary spyware.” This follows a similar incident in January involving Fanpage’s editor-in-chief, Francesco Cancellato, who WhatsApp informed of an attempted breach using spyware developed by Israeli company Paragon Solutions. The spyware, or Graphite, is a zero-click exploit capable of infiltrating devices without user interaction.
These incidents are part of a broader pattern, with at least six individuals in Italy—including journalists, humanitarian activists, and clergy—reportedly targeted by spyware believed to be deployed by state actors. Notably, David Yambio, a human rights activist, discovered his phone was targeted while he was sharing confidential information on Libyan torture victims with the International Criminal Court.
Paragon Solutions has since terminated its contract with the Italian government, citing violations of its terms of service, which prohibit the targeting of journalists and civil society members. The Italian parliamentary security committee, Copasir, is investigating potential misuse of the spyware, especially after admissions that the government had authorized surveillance on humanitarian NGO members.
These revelations have sparked widespread concern over the erosion of civil liberties and the potential abuse of surveillance technologies. Organizations like Citizen Lab are assisting in the investigation, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. The incidents underscore the delicate balance between national security measures and the protection of fundamental rights in democratic societies.
Reference –
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/31/italian-journalist-whatsapp-israeli-spyware
