The recent revelation of a spyware attack has plunged Italy into the spotlight, with the government staunchly defending itself against accusations of deploying surveillance technology on journalists and activists. The incident, which allegedly involved the hacking of at least seven Italian phones, forms part of a wider infiltration targeting individuals across the European Union.
On January 31, Meta's WhatsApp disclosed that several EU citizens had been victimized by spyware from Israeli firm Paragon Solutions. On February 5, after The Guardian published details of the attack, the Italian government confirmed the involvement of Italian phone numbers and assigned the National Cybersecurity Agency to initiate a thorough examination. This inquiry extends to phone numbers from countries including Belgium and Germany, underscoring the larger European implications.
In a parliamentary session, Cabinet Minister Luca Ciriani was firm in his denial of unlawful espionage. While acknowledging Italy's longstanding contract with Paragon for counterterrorism purposes, he stressed the government's adherence to legal frameworks, cautioning against misconceptions regarding the technology’s use on journalists.
Continued scrutiny surrounds Paragon’s military-grade Graphite spyware, capable of breaching encrypted smartphones. Although reports suggest a cessation of one contract following the attack's revelation, Ciriani assured that existing agreements focused on national security remain intact. This raises the potential of another contract being terminated, possibly with a separate agency.
The narrative gained traction as notable figures like Luca Casarini and Francesco Cancellato were identified among those affected by the alleged espionage. Casarini leads Mediterranea Saving Humans, a migrant rescue organization critical of Italian border policies, while Cancellato is the editor of Fanpage, an outlet known for investigative journalism exposing political controversies.
Both individuals were contacted by WhatsApp with warnings about their phones being compromised, directing them to the expertise of Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto. This entity has a storied reputation for uncovering state-sponsored cyber threats, adding a layer of credibility to the claims.
Cancellato voiced his suspicions that the targeting of his network might be an effort to preemptively silence investigatory pieces on political activities, notably in the youth faction of Premier Giorgia Meloni's party. Nonetheless, he refrained from assigning direct blame.
Meanwhile, Casarini has been vocal in his denunciation of Italy's collaboration with Libya in stalling migrant departures, aligning with his organization’s humanitarian mission. This stance has often placed him at odds with governmental initiatives, potentially making him a person of interest in surveillance considerations.
While Paragon Solutions has yet to offer public comments in response to the growing allegations, the Italian government stands firm in its narrative of compliance, while ensuring cooperation with judicial reviews to clarify any potential vulnerabilities. As investigations unfold, the balance between national security and civil liberty remains under intense scrutiny, echoing broader themes of privacy rights in contemporary society.