Italy has officially severed its ties with the Israeli cybersecurity firm Paragon, following allegations that its surveillance technology had been utilized against government critics, including journalists and members of migrant rescue organizations. This decision, confirmed in a recent parliamentary report by the intelligence oversight committee COPASIR, has sparked significant political controversy and demands for an exhaustive inquiry.
According to the report, Italy’s intelligence services initially suspended, and subsequently terminated, their use of Paragon’s spyware. However, the circumstances surrounding the contract’s cessation remain unclear, particularly since Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration had previously assured parliament in February that the agreement was still in effect.
Both the Italian government and Paragon acknowledged the termination of the contract, yet their narratives diverge significantly. The situation has drawn widespread condemnation from opposition parties and advocates for press freedom, with the Italian journalists’ union (FNSI) urging prosecutors to investigate potential breaches of state surveillance laws.
Paragon’s technology was reportedly employed to target specific individuals within Italy, including journalists and activists affiliated with the Mediterranea organization, known for its vocal criticism of Meloni’s rightist government. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, revealed earlier this year that the spyware had been deployed against numerous users worldwide, with some cases linked to Italy.
In response to the allegations, the Italian government acknowledged that seven citizens had been surveilled but maintained that the surveillance was conducted lawfully under the oversight of a public prosecutor. Officials vehemently denied participating in any illicit spying activities and commissioned the National Cybersecurity Agency to conduct a thorough review of the situation.
Among those reportedly under surveillance is Francesco Cancellato, the editor of the investigative outlet Fanpage, who asserted in interviews that he was targeted. However, COPASIR’s findings did not corroborate his claims. Paragon stated it ceased its services to Italy upon becoming aware of Cancellato’s case and noted the Italian government’s refusal to engage in a joint investigation.
Despite the escalating scrutiny, Meloni’s office has not provided formal comments on the matter, while opposition lawmakers are pushing for further clarification from the government.
The COPASIR report disclosed that Italy’s intelligence services had approved the use of Paragon’s spyware in 2023 and 2024 for monitoring a limited number of individuals linked to criminal probes, including cases of suspected terrorism and human trafficking. The report specifically addressed the surveillance of Mediterranea activists Luca Casarini and Beppe Caccia, justifying it based on alleged connections to irregular migration rather than their activism. Notably, the approval for their surveillance was granted by Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, one of Meloni’s principal advisors on intelligence affairs.
In a broader context, this incident underscores the complex interplay between national security and civil liberties in Italy, prompting essential discussions on the role of surveillance and oversight in a democratic society.
This case may also serve as a litmus test for the Italian government’s stance on migrant rescues, as demonstrators argue for humane policies in handling immigration and asylum matters.
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