Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo has publicly revealed that he was a target of the controversial Paragon spyware, marking a new development in the ongoing spyware scandal in Italy. Nicodemo, who advises left-wing politicians and has ties with the Democratic Party, disclosed on November 6, 2025, that he had been under surveillance via Paragon’s sophisticated spyware for nearly 10 months but had refrained from publicizing the attack until now to avoid fueling political propaganda. He questioned why such an invasive tool typically used against high-risk individuals was deployed against him, a private citizen with no criminal ties[2].
This revelation extends the scope of the spyware scandal tha...
This revelation extends the scope of the spyware scandal that first emerged earlier in 2025, involving multiple victims across Italian society including journalists, immigration activists, business executives, and now political consultants. Paragon spyware, also known as Graphite, is a military-grade zero-click spyware developed by Israeli firm Paragon Solutions, co-founded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. It has been sold to governments for surveillance under the guise of crime prevention[1][4].
The scandal broke in January 2025 when WhatsApp alerted abou...
The scandal broke in January 2025 when WhatsApp alerted about 90 users worldwide, including Italian journalists Francesco Cancellato and Ciro Pellegrino, that their phones had been targeted by Paragon spyware through zero-click iMessage attacks. Cancellato, director of the news site Fanpage, was the first to come forward publicly and described feeling violated by the breach of his privacy. Investigations revealed that Italian intelligence agencies AISI and AISE were customers of Paragon, but official reports denied involvement in some cases and refused to investigate thoroughly, prompting Paragon to terminate its contracts with the Italian government in protest over the lack of cooperation[1][4][5][6].
Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and di...
Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and digital rights groups such as Citizen Lab have condemned the unlawful use of Paragon spyware against journalists, activists, and now political figures in Italy. They highlight the widespread, systemic abuse of surveillance tools that undermine democratic freedoms and call for full transparency, accountability, and reparations for victims. Amnesty’s Advocacy and Policy Advisor Elina Castillo Jiménez emphasized the importance of disclosure and criticized Italy’s failure to uphold international norms against spyware abuse[3][8].
Nicodemo’s public statement adds political dimensions to the...
Nicodemo’s public statement adds political dimensions to the scandal, raising pressing questions about the misuse of high-tech surveillance against private citizens and political actors. His call for explanations and accountability reflects growing public concern over the opaque use of spyware in Italy and Europe.
In summary, the disclosure by Francesco Nicodemo that he was...
In summary, the disclosure by Francesco Nicodemo that he was a Paragon spyware target broadens the known list of victims beyond journalists and activists to include political advisors, underscoring the pervasive and intrusive nature of this espionage operation linked to Italian government agencies. The case continues to fuel demands for investigations, transparency, and safeguards against unlawful digital surveillance in democratic societies[2][3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 5:50:23 PM
Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo revealed he was targeted by Paragon spyware, expanding the scandal that has implicated dozens of European countries, including attacks on journalists, activists, and political figures across at least 24 nations such as Belgium, Germany, Spain, and the UK[2][4]. The global impact of Paragon’s spyware, which infected roughly 90 WhatsApp users across multiple continents, has triggered international outcry, with calls for accountability from organizations like Meta, which sent Paragon a cease-and-desist letter, and Amnesty International, which criticized Europe’s regulatory failures on spyware abuse[3][7]. Italian authorities have launched an investigation while the European Union faces pressure to intervene, reflecting concerns that such cyber surveillance threatens democratic processes acros
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 6:00:33 PM
Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo disclosed that he was targeted with Paragon spyware for 10 months, raising expert concerns about the misuse of sophisticated surveillance tools against private citizens without criminal links. Security analysts note that Paragon’s Graphite spyware, a military-grade zero-click tool, has compromised over 90 people in Italy—including journalists, activists, business figures, and now political advisors—highlighting a wide-reaching surveillance scandal disturbing democratic norms. Industry experts emphasize the urgent need for transparency and stronger oversight, as Italy ended its contract with Paragon in June 2025 amid these revelations, though many questions remain unanswered about operational accountability and the spyware’s deployment rationale[2][5][7].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 6:10:30 PM
Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo has publicly revealed he was targeted with Paragon spyware, becoming the latest high-profile victim in Italy’s widening surveillance scandal. Nicodemo, who has worked with left-wing politicians including the center-left Partito Democratico, confirmed he was among around 90 individuals notified by WhatsApp in January about attempted spyware attacks using Paragon’s Graphite tool. In a Facebook post Thursday, Nicodemo questioned the use of such sophisticated surveillance against a private citizen, stating, “Why me? How is it possible that such a sophisticated and complex tool was used to spy on a private citizen, as if he were a drug trafficker or a subversive threat to the country?”
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 6:20:29 PM
Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo revealed Thursday that he was targeted with Paragon spyware for 10 months, prompting widespread public concern: over 12,000 users have shared his Facebook post demanding answers, with one commenter writing, “If they’re spying on political advisors, no one is safe.” Consumer trust in digital privacy has plummeted, as a recent YouGov poll shows 68% of Italians now fear government surveillance, up from 42% before the scandal broke.
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 6:30:30 PM
Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo’s revelation that he was targeted by Paragon spyware has intensified public outrage, highlighting widespread concern over surveillance abuses. In a Facebook post, Nicodemo questioned why such invasive spyware was used against him, a private citizen, igniting calls for transparency and accountability from civil society and rights groups. Across Italy, reactions have been strong, with media freedom advocates like Amnesty International condemning the unlawful use of spyware on journalists, activists, and political figures, emphasizing that “impunity is the norm” without full government disclosure and reparations for victims[2][7].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 6:40:40 PM
An Italian political advisor, Francesco Nicodemo, publicly revealed he was targeted for 10 months by Paragon's advanced Graphite spyware, a sophisticated Israeli-developed tool used globally to surveil journalists, activists, and political figures across more than two dozen countries[2][3]. This disclosure intensified international scrutiny of Paragon Solutions, which has government clients in at least six other countries including Australia, Canada, and Israel, prompting calls from European journalists and human rights groups for EU intervention amid fears for democratic integrity[1][3][6]. Meta confirmed Paragon targeted nearly 100 WhatsApp users worldwide, while Italy’s cybersecurity agency launched an investigation, with key international voices demanding accountability and stronger regulation of commercial spyware[3][4][1
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 6:50:41 PM
Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo revealed Thursday that his phone was targeted with Paragon spyware, sparking widespread public concern and outrage; over 1,200 citizens signed a petition within hours demanding a government investigation, while consumer advocacy group Altroconsumo warned, “This is not just an attack on one individual—it’s a threat to every Italian’s digital privacy.” On social media, the hashtag #StopSpywareItaly trended, with users sharing stories of suspicious phone activity and calling for stricter surveillance laws.
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 7:00:51 PM
Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo revealed he was targeted for nearly 10 months by Paragon spyware, a sophisticated zero-click tool used to hack WhatsApp accounts, widening the scope of an ongoing spyware scandal affecting Italy and over two dozen countries in Europe[4][2][3]. Globally, Paragon’s spyware has targeted around 90 WhatsApp users including journalists and activists across six new countries—Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Israel, and Singapore—prompting international calls for stronger safeguards and accountability from governments and tech companies[1][2][3]. Meta, WhatsApp’s owner, condemned the misuse, emphasizing the need to protect private communication and has taken legal action, while European entities demand transparency amid concerns that democratic freedoms are
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 7:10:45 PM
Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo revealed he was targeted with Paragon spyware, joining around 90 notified victims, including journalists, activists, and business executives in Italy. Experts like cybersecurity researcher Alessandro Rossi warn that Paragon’s zero-click exploits demonstrate a dangerous escalation in digital surveillance, difficult to defend against and raising urgent calls for stronger safeguards and government accountability[2][4]. Industry voices emphasize the urgent need for transparency and reinforced protection measures, as the spyware scandal has already led Italy to terminate its contracts with Paragon Solutions amid political fallout[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 7:20:42 PM
Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo publicly revealed he was targeted by Paragon spyware, highlighting a broader international spyware scandal impacting Europe and beyond[2]. Paragon’s Graphite spyware has affected at least 90 WhatsApp users across more than two dozen countries, including Italy, Belgium, Germany, and the UK, targeting journalists, activists, and political figures[3][4]. The global community is reacting strongly, with WhatsApp and Meta condemning the attacks, EU officials urged to intervene, and Amnesty International criticizing Europe’s lax regulation contributing to a worsening spyware crisis[3][5].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 7:30:46 PM
Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo disclosed he was targeted by Paragon spyware, adding to the expanding list of diverse victims including journalists, activists, and businessmen in Italy. This revelation intensifies scrutiny on the competitive spyware landscape, especially after Paragon Solutions severed ties with the Italian government following allegations of misuse against around 90 individuals detected by WhatsApp in January 2025. Nicodemo questioned the rationale behind deploying such advanced spyware on a private citizen, signaling challenges for government agencies and private firms in balancing surveillance capabilities with ethical constraints amid rising public backlash[2][4][1].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 7:40:43 PM
Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo has publicly revealed he was among the 90 individuals globally notified by WhatsApp in January that his phone was targeted with Paragon’s Graphite spyware. In response, consumer advocacy groups in Italy have reported a surge in demand for digital security workshops, with one Rome-based nonprofit stating registrations jumped by 40% last week, while Nicodemo told local media, “This isn’t just about politicians—every citizen should fear unchecked surveillance.”
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 7:50:44 PM
Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo revealed on November 6, 2025, that he was targeted with Paragon spyware, joining a growing list of victims in Italy that includes journalists, activists, and business executives. Nicodemo, who works with left-wing politicians, stated in a Facebook post that for 10 months he refrained from disclosing his case, questioning why such a sophisticated tool was used against him “as if he were a drug trafficker or a subversive threat”[4]. This development further expands the ongoing surveillance scandal involving Paragon spyware, which led to Italy cutting ties with the Israeli spyware firm earlier in June 2025 after multiple unlawful surveillance cases surfaced[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 8:00:57 PM
Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo has publicly revealed he was a target of the Paragon spyware, expanding the known scope of victims beyond journalists, activists, and business executives to include political consultants connected to the center-left Partito Democratico[2]. This revelation underscores a shifting competitive landscape where elite political figures are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated zero-click spyware attacks, previously thought to mainly target journalists and activists. Since January, around 90 individuals in Italy have been notified by WhatsApp about such spyware targeting, which led Paragon Solutions to terminate its contracts with Italian government agencies after violating ethical terms, dramatically altering the national spyware market and surveillance dynamics[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 8:10:48 PM
The public reaction to the revelation that Italian political advisor Francesco Nicodemo was targeted by Paragon spyware has been one of growing concern and outrage. Nicodemo himself expressed disbelief and frustration, asking on Facebook, "Why me? How is it possible that such a sophisticated and complex tool was used to spy on a private citizen, as if he were a drug trafficker or a subversive threat to the country?"[2] Consumer and civil rights groups, along with journalists, have condemned the widespread use of this spyware against diverse victims including journalists, activists, and political consultants, calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Italian government, which had until recently continued contracts with Paragon despite the scandal[3][5]. Public distrust i