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Digital researchers at Citizen Lab confirmed on Thursday that spyware from Israeli company Paragon Solutions targeted at least three prominent European journalists, including two editors at the Italian investigative news site Fanpage.it. The findings establish for the first time that Paragon's Graphite spyware successfully infected Apple devices through sophisticated zero-click attacks via iMessage.

Digital researchers at Citizen Lab confirmed on Thursday that spyware from Israeli company Paragon Solutions targeted at least three prominent European journalists, including two editors at the Italian investigative news site Fanpage.it. The findings establish for the first time that Paragon's Graphite spyware successfully infected Apple devices through sophisticated zero-click attacks via iMessage.

Ciro Pellegrino, head of Fanpage.it's Naples newsroom, and an anonymous prominent European journalist received Apple notifications on April 29, alerting them to advanced spyware targeting. Forensic analysis revealed both devices contained the same iMessage account identifier, indicating they were targeted by the same Paragon operator.

Ciro Pellegrino, head of Fanpage.it's Naples newsroom, and an anonymous prominent European journalist received Apple notifications on April 29, alerting them to advanced spyware targeting. Forensic analysis revealed both devices contained the same iMessage account identifier, indicating they were targeted by the same Paragon operator.

Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.it, which had previously published critical coverage of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, including an exposé revealing fascist and racist remarks by members of her Brothers of Italy party's youth wing, was notified in January that he had been targeted with Pegasus spyware.

Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.it, which had previously published critical coverage of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, including an exposé revealing fascist and racist remarks by members of her Brothers of Italy party's youth wing, was notified in January that he had been targeted with Pegasus spyware.

Italy's parliamentary intelligence oversight committee, COPASIR, confirmed that Italian intelligence services used Paragon's Graphite spyware against civil society activists, but denied spying on Cancellato. The committee stated that activists were targeted legally with government authorization due to their work related to irregular immigration and national security rather than their activism.

Washingtontimes

Italy's parliamentary intelligence oversight committee, COPASIR, confirmed that Italian intelligence services used Paragon's Graphite spyware against civil society activists, but denied spying on Cancellato. The committee stated that activists were targeted legally with government authorization due to their work related to irregular immigration and national security rather than their activism.

Paragon Solutions, backed by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, was reportedly acquired by Florida-based AE Industrial Partners in December for at least $500 million. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded Paragon a $2 million contract in September 2024 for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations support.

Paragon Solutions, backed by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, was reportedly acquired by Florida-based AE Industrial Partners in December for at least $500 million. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded Paragon a $2 million contract in September 2024 for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations support.

Both Italy and Paragon claim to have terminated their relationship, but offer conflicting explanations. Paragon states that it ended services after Italy declined to help investigate Cancellato's case, while Italian authorities claim they rejected the offer due to national security concerns. The European Commission pledged to utilize all available tools to ensure the effective application of EU law.

Both Italy and Paragon claim to have terminated their relationship, but offer conflicting explanations. Paragon states that it ended services after Italy declined to help investigate Cancellato's case, while Italian authorities claim they rejected the offer due to national security concerns. The European Commission pledged to utilize all available tools to ensure the effective application of EU law.

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The Italian government acted within the bounds of the law when using surveillance tools against individuals connected to irregular immigration and national security concerns. Parliamentary oversight confirmed no journalists were illegally targeted, and any surveillance was properly authorized through judicial channels. Italy rigorously respected the law throughout these operations.

The Italian government acted within the bounds of the law when using surveillance tools against individuals connected to irregular immigration and national security concerns. Parliamentary oversight confirmed no journalists were illegally targeted, and any surveillance was properly authorized through judicial channels. Italy rigorously respected the law throughout these operations.

This is a dangerous escalation of spyware abuse against press freedom in democratic countries. Journalists investigating government corruption are being silenced through invasive surveillance that violates fundamental rights. The targeting of Fanpage.it reporters after their exposé of fascist elements shows authoritarian tactics.

This is a dangerous escalation of spyware abuse against press freedom in democratic countries. Journalists investigating government corruption are being silenced through invasive surveillance that violates fundamental rights. The targeting of Fanpage.it reporters after their exposé of fascist elements shows authoritarian tactics.

There's an 80% chance that an AI system will be reported to have successfully blackmailed someone for >$1000 by EOY 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's an 80% chance that an AI system will be reported to have successfully blackmailed someone for &gt;$1000 by EOY 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Report: Israeli Spyware Used to Target European Journalists

Report: Israeli Spyware Used to Target European Journalists

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Report: Israeli Spyware Used to Target European Journalists

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