Excerpt from BBC Article, Published on Feb 06, 2025.
In a significant development, Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions has reportedly cut ties with its clients in Italy following allegations that its product was used to target critics of the Italian government. The controversy emerged after WhatsApp alleged that Paragon’s spyware had been used to compromise 90 users across 24 countries, including journalists and civil society members. Italy’s government confirmed that seven mobile phone users in the country had been targeted via WhatsApp using spyware. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office strongly denied any involvement and instructed the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The Guardian and Haaretz reported that Paragon has now terminated its relationship with Italian clients, said to include an intelligence agency and a law enforcement body. Paragon Solutions, which works exclusively with state organizations, is known for its flagship product Graphite, a tool designed to provide full access to target phones supposedly to combat crime. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has been vocal about the need to hold spyware companies accountable. A spokesperson for WhatsApp stated that the company had “disrupted a spyware campaign targeting a number of users, including journalists and members of civil society.” They further emphasized that WhatsApp remains committed to safeguarding private communication.
The Italian government revealed that phone numbers with prefixes from multiple European countries, such as Spain, Greece, Belgium, and Austria, were involved in the alleged campaign. Francesco Cancellato, an investigative journalist, and other activists have come forward as potential victims. WhatsApp disclosed that a “zero-click hack” was used in the attacks, where malicious documents compromised devices without user interaction. The messaging platform reiterated its stance on combating spyware threats and protecting user privacy. This incident underscores growing concerns over spyware misuse and highlights the ongoing need for global accountability in digital surveillance practices.
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