Journalists launch legal action against Italian government over spyware claims | Italy

Italy Government Faces Allegations of Spyware Abuse

Italy’s government is facing mounting scrutiny after allegations emerged that it illegally used spyware too target journalists,activists,and critics. The scandal ignited in late January when it was revealed that at least seven individuals in Italy, including migrant activist Luca Casarini and investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato, had been targeted by an entity using Graphite, a military-grade spyware developed by the Israel-based Paragon.

Paragon spyware is designed for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to monitor criminals. The use of this technology against journalists and activists raises serious concerns about government overreach and a potential attack on press freedom.

Government’s Response Under Fire

The Italian government initially denied any involvement in the alleged spyware hacks. though, the Guardian reported that paragon had terminated its contract with Italy, citing a breach of the agreement which prohibits the use of the spyware against journalists or civil society members. Italy’s intelligence agency,Aise,later confirmed the suspension of the contract pending an internal investigation.

Adding to the controversy, Lorenzo Fontana, the president of the Italian parliament, invoked a rule allowing the government to evade questions on the scandal raised by opposition MPs.This move has been widely criticized as an attempt to shroud the issue in secrecy and prevent transparent accountability.

“By refusing to answer the questions in parliament, the government is laying bare its deep difficulties,” stated Casarini, who has reported the surveillance against him to prosecutors in Palermo. “Nonetheless of which agency deployed this spyware against me, these wiretaps are entirely illegal. There is there’s no doubt whatsoever that the targets are political opponents of the government. This is a tactic of authoritarian governments.”

Citizen Lab Launches Investigation

In response to the allegations,the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto,a research group specializing in digital threats against civil society,has launched a parallel investigation. Their analysis of Casarini’s phone, released in part on wednesday, aims to trace the agency responsible for the attack and potentially identify the private company contracted to carry it out.Citizen Lab researchers believe only government agencies could have employed such complex technology.

“The analysis of the cyber-espionage attack suffered by Luca Casarini could reveal very interesting details about its source,” the researchers wrote in their report,“potentially even pinpointing the private company entrusted with such operations – and,by extension,the eventual client.”

“There is there’s no doubt whatsoever that only government agencies could have employed such technology.”

Legal Concerns and Constitutional Breaches

If confirmed, the use of spyware against critics raises serious legal and constitutional questions. Giuseppe Inzerillo, a criminal law expert in Palermo, explained that preventive wiretaps, while allowed in some circumstances, are highly controversial and should only be used against individuals deemed a serious threat to national security.

Critics argue that the broad interpretation of “national security” in these cases can easily be abused to target political opponents or individuals who are critical of the government.

“Legal experts have long criticised this practise, noting that the targeted individuals have no means of defense,” said Inzerillo.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

The Italian Union of Journalists (FNSI) has filed a criminal complaint against unknown individuals involved in the alleged spyware attacks. Alessandra Costante, FNSI’s secretary general, stated, “We want clarity, we want journalists to be able to do their job without the risk of being intercepted. We’re dealing with facts that not only violate the criminal code but the constitution itself. It is also extremely serious that the government has decided not to report to parliament.”

This case highlights the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability from governments regarding their use of surveillance technologies. Citizens have the right to know how their information is being collected and used, and governments must be held accountable for any misuse of such powerful tools.

How does the termination of the contract between the Italian government and Paragon, the company behind Graphite spyware, support allegations of misuse of the software?

Archyde Exclusive Interview: Unraveling Italy’s Spyware Scandal with Cybersecurity Expert, Dr. Sofia Marino

Italy has been gripped by a growing scandal involving alleged misuse of military-grade spyware against journalists, activists, and political critics. To shed light on this disturbing progress, archyde News had an exclusive conversation with Dr. Sofia Marino, a renowned cybersecurity expert and professor at the University of Rome.

Editor (E): Dr. Marino, thank you for joining us today.Let’s dive right in. Can you provide some context on the spyware used in these alleged incidents – Graphite by Paragon?

Dr. Sofia Marino (SM): Certainly. Graphite is a sophisticated spyware developed by Israel-based Paragon. It’s primarily designed for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to monitor criminal activities. Though, its use against journalists and activists in Italy suggests a possible misuse of power, perhaps violating privacy and freedom of the press.

E: The Italian government initially denied involvement, but Paragon terminated their contract citing breach of agreement. How significant is this development?

SM: This is indeed a significant turn of events. Paragon’s termination of the contract suggests that the Italian government or one of its agencies may have used the spyware against prohibited targets, such as journalists and activists. This raises serious concerns about government overreach and potential attacks on press freedom.

E: The Citizen Lab at the University of toronto is investigating these allegations. What do you make of their involvement?

SM: The Citizen Lab’s examination is crucial. Their expertise in digital threats against civil society can help trace the agency responsible for the attacks and potentially identify the private company contracted to carry them out. If the allegations are confirmed,their findings could reveal a lot about the misuse of powerful surveillance technologies.

E: Legal experts argue that the broad interpretation of ‘national security’ can lead to abuse. How can we prevent such misuse in the future?

SM: Preventing misuse requires robust oversight, clarity, and accountability. we need clear laws and regulations governing the use of surveillance technologies, strong independent oversight bodies, and regular audits to ensure agencies are acting within their mandate.Moreover, citizens should have the right to know when and how their data is being collected and used.

E: Lastly, Dr.Marino, what’s your thoght on the Italian governments’ refusal to answer questions on this issue in parliament?

SM: This move, unfortunately, fuels suspicions of cover-up. The government has an obligation to be clear and accountable to its citizens. By refusing to answer questions, thay’re undermining public trust in institutions and setting a dangerous precedent for democracy.

As this distressing story unfolds, we hope that Dr. Marino’s insights will help spark a much-needed conversation about the responsible use of surveillance technologies and the importance of government accountability.

Archyde News: Your trusted source for investigative journalism and in-depth analysis.