A major scandal involving Israeli spyware firm Paragon has rocked Italy and Europe, sparking outrage across the region. Reports have revealed that journalists and activists in Italy were spied on using Paragon’s surveillance software, Graphite. This spyware was allegedly implanted in smartphones, allowing data to be extracted from the devices.
One journalist whose phone was hacked expressed deep concern, saying, “They spied on me just because I’m a journalist.” The spyware breach was confirmed after a warning from WhatsApp’s security team, which identified the malicious activity on his device. A Canadian research group, Citizen Lab, is now analyzing his phone to uncover how much information was stolen.
This journalist, known for leading an investigative news site, believes the surveillance was linked to his reporting on sensitive political topics, including allegations of antisemitism within Italy’s ruling party. The spyware not only threatened his privacy but also posed risks to his entire newsroom, as sensitive data related to ongoing investigations could have been compromised.
Italian Government Denies Involvement
Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has denied any involvement in the espionage scandal. The government insists it has not used Paragon’s spyware to monitor journalists or activists. However, the scandal has intensified following revelations that Paragon has decided to cut ties with Italy after the controversy erupted.
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Paragon, founded by former Israeli military intelligence leaders, claims it only sells its spyware to democratic countries for law enforcement purposes. Yet, reports suggest the tools were used to spy on individuals critical of Italy’s government, including a journalist, an activist, and a humanitarian organization leader.
The company is now under fire from multiple angles. Tech giant Meta, which owns WhatsApp, has accused Paragon of exploiting the platform to infect about 90 individuals’ phones across 20 countries. These targets include journalists and human rights activists, making this a global issue, not just an Italian one. Meta has issued a legal warning demanding Paragon stop using its tools to violate users’ privacy.
Spyware Sparks Outrage Over Privacy and Press Freedom
This scandal has raised important questions about privacy and press freedom in democratic countries. Spyware like Graphite allows its operators to extract personal information, track communications, and potentially monitor every move of the target.
The journalist whose phone was hacked explained that this isn’t just about his personal data but about the safety of his newsroom and the integrity of journalism. “They didn’t just hack me; they hacked my newspaper,” he said. He also noted suspicious issues with his WhatsApp app, which frequently crashed in the months leading up to the breach.
The broader concern is that a government agency may have used advanced spyware to spy on a journalist in Europe, a region that values press freedom and democracy. Paragon has argued that its tools are less invasive than Pegasus, another infamous spyware, but the journalist dismissed this claim, emphasizing that any access to private data by a third party is unacceptable.
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The Italian government’s silence on the matter has further fueled public anger. Many expected officials to either confirm the use of the spyware for legitimate purposes or condemn the misuse of such tools to target journalists. Instead, the government has refrained from taking a clear stance, leaving citizens and the press to grapple with unanswered questions.
A Serious Blow to Trust in Spyware Use
Paragon’s decision to terminate its contract with the Italian government has been seen as a direct consequence of the uproar. The firm has promised to revoke licenses if its tools are misused, but critics argue that such surveillance software should not be used against individuals with no links to criminal activity.
The spyware scandal has highlighted the delicate balance between security and freedom in democratic societies. While such tools may be effective in combating crime and terrorism, their misuse can lead to severe violations of privacy and press freedom.
This case has left a chilling effect on the media and activists in Italy, as it sends a troubling message about the risks of speaking out against powerful institutions. For now, the revelations about Paragon’s spyware have created a storm that shows no sign of calming anytime soon.
