Italy Ends Spyware Contracts with Israeli Firm Paragon Amid Controversy
Italy and Israeli spyware maker Paragon have terminated their contracts following allegations that the Italian government used Paragon’s technology to hack phones of government critics, according to a parliamentary report released Monday and statements from both parties.
The fallout stems from a report by Italy’s parliamentary security committee (COPASIR) and earlier revelations from Meta’s WhatsApp, which disclosed that Paragon spyware targeted multiple users including an investigative journalist and members of Mediterranea, a migrant rescue charity critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The government acknowledged that seven Italian phone users had been targeted but denied involvement in illicit surveillance and said it had tasked the National Cybersecurity Agency to investigate. COPASIR’s report states that Italian intelligence services initially suspended and later ended their contracts with Paragon after the media backlash, though the exact timing remains unclear.
Contradictory statements have fueled political criticism, with opposition parties demanding clarity. Paragon claims it ceased providing spyware after allegations against journalist Francesco Cancellato became public, but said the government declined joint investigation offers to verify whether Cancellato was spied on. The committee found no evidence Cancellato was surveilled with Paragon’s tools.
COPASIR also detailed that Italy’s domestic and foreign intelligence agencies used the spyware sparingly, with prosecutor approval, for law enforcement purposes including counter-terrorism, fugitive searches, and anti-smuggling. It stated that spying on Mediterranea activists related to their activities potentially connected to irregular immigration, with authorization from the government.
Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, responsible for intelligence oversight, authorized the spyware use on Mediterranea activists Luca Casarini and Beppe Caccia in September 2024. Meanwhile, six Mediterranea members, including Casarini and Caccia, face trial accused of aiding illegal immigration, charges they deny.
The scandal has drawn calls for parliamentary inquiry and public scrutiny over surveillance ethics and government transparency.