Italian lawmakers say Italy used spyware to target phones of immigration activists, but not against journalist

An inquiry by an Italian parliamentary committee has revealed that the government employed spyware developed by the Israeli firm Paragon to target the phones of several immigration activists. However, the investigation found no evidence that a well-known journalist was among those surveilled, leaving several concerns regarding the spyware's application unresolved. The Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic, known as COPASIR, released its findings following a comprehensive investigation into the use of Paragon's Graphite spyware in Italy. Israeli news outlet Haaretz was among the first to report on the committee's conclusions. In January, WhatsApp began notifying approximately 90 users that their devices may have been compromised by Paragon's spyware. This sparked considerable public concern, especially given Italy's contentious history with spyware technology. COPASIR's investigation focused on two activists, Luca Casarini and Giuseppe Caccia, affiliated with Mediterranea Saving Humans, an organization dedicated to rescuing immigrants in the Mediterranean Sea. The committee concluded that both activists were lawfully monitored by Italian intelligence as part of ongoing investigations into alleged illegal immigration activities. In contrast, the committee found no evidence that Francesco Cancellato, a journalist who received a notification from WhatsApp, was targeted by the government. COPASIR's representatives conducted thorough checks on intelligence records related to Cancellato's phone number and reported no findings that indicated he was under surveillance. There were also no documented legal requests from Italy's prosecutor's office or the Department of Information for Security (DIS) to monitor him. The report suggested that foreign governments utilizing Paragon’s technology could be responsible for the targeting of Cancellato, though no supporting evidence was provided for this theory. Cancellato, who leads the investigative outlet Fanpage.it, known for its scrutiny of Italy's political landscape, expressed skepticism about COPASIR's findings and called for more clarity regarding his situation. His case remains a focal point for those concerned about the implications of spyware usage on press freedom. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at The Citizen Lab, emphasized that the report's failure to clarify who targeted Cancellato raises significant questions about the transparency and accountability surrounding Paragon’s operations. The Citizen Lab continues to investigate the matter, examining Cancellato's data for further insights. COPASIR also assessed other individuals, including Mattia Ferrari of Mediterranea Saving Humans and David Yambio of Refugees in Libya. While no evidence was found against Ferrari, the committee confirmed Yambio was legally surveilled, albeit not with Paragon's spyware. Throughout its inquiry, COPASIR sought to gather comprehensive information about Paragon's activities in Italy, including communications with government agencies and the company itself. The report indicated that both AISE and AISI, Italy's intelligence agencies, had contracts with Paragon but have since terminated them. The findings suggest that while the agencies claimed to have legal justification for their use of spyware, the potential for misuse remains a pressing concern. The report from COPASIR has reignited discussions on the ethical implications of spyware usage, particularly in relation to journalists and human rights activists. As the investigation continues, the spotlight remains on Paragon and its role in the broader context of surveillance practices in Italy.