Italian investigative journalist Ciro Pellegrino's device has been confirmed as a target of Paragon spyware, deepening an ongoing surveillance scandal involving Italian government agencies and raising serious concerns about press freedom and digital privacy. This revelation marks the first forensic confirmation of Paragon's iOS spyware infection on a journalist's device and implicates a broader pattern of targeting critical voices in Italy[1][2][3][6].
The forensic investigation, published by the University of T...
The forensic investigation, published by the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, found high-confidence evidence that Pellegrino’s iPhone was hacked using Paragon’s sophisticated "Graphite" spyware via a zero-click attack method exploiting vulnerabilities in iMessage. The report also confirmed that another unnamed prominent European journalist was targeted by the same Paragon customer, linking the attacks to a single operator[1][2][3].
Paragon, an Israeli surveillance technology company known fo...
Paragon, an Israeli surveillance technology company known for marketing mercenary spyware to governments, has been embroiled in controversy similar to that of the NSO Group. Despite presenting itself as a clean and undetectable vendor, Paragon has repeatedly been implicated in abuses of its technology[2]. The spyware uses zero-click exploits that require no interaction from the target, making detection and prevention extremely difficult[5].
The scandal has gained momentum since January 2025, when Wha...
The scandal has gained momentum since January 2025, when WhatsApp notified approximately 90 users, including Italian journalists and civil society activists, that they had been targeted by Paragon spyware across Europe. Among those targeted was Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage, Pellegrino’s news outlet, which has frequently published exposés critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, including investigations into neo-Nazi links within her party’s youth wing[1][6][9].
The Italian Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the...
The Italian Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic (COPASIR), responsible for overseeing intelligence agencies, recently published a report acknowledging the use of Paragon’s spyware by Italy’s internal (AISI) and external (AISE) intelligence agencies, but controversially found no evidence that Cancellato was spied on and made no mention of Pellegrino’s case. This has led to criticism that the committee’s findings are incomplete or misleading[1][4][8].
The situation escalated when Paragon announced it had termin...
The situation escalated when Paragon announced it had terminated its contract with the Italian government after authorities refused to allow an independent audit to verify whether the spyware was used against journalists. Paragon claimed it had offered a way to verify this but that the Italian government declined the offer, prompting the end of their collaboration[8][14][15].
Digital rights advocates and legal experts warn that these r...
Digital rights advocates and legal experts warn that these revelations highlight a disturbing pattern of surveillance targeting journalists and activists critical of the government, undermining media freedom and civil liberties in Italy and potentially across Europe[2][7].
In summary, the confirmed infection of Italian tycoon and jo...
In summary, the confirmed infection of Italian tycoon and journalist Ciro Pellegrino’s device with Paragon spyware exposes a significant breach of privacy involving state surveillance tools, raising urgent questions about government accountability and the protection of democratic values in Italy. The scandal remains under close scrutiny as further forensic analyses and political investigations continue.
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 5:40:48 PM
Consumer and public reaction to the discovery that Paragon spyware hit prominent Italian figures, including tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, and journalists has been one of significant alarm and distrust. Italian civil society and digital rights advocates express deep concern over illegal surveillance abuses, with Natalia Krapiva of Access Now stating the scandal "is just not going away" and highlighting a pattern targeting critics of the government[2]. Additionally, Apple alerted about mercenary spyware attacks affecting around 90 users in Europe, fueling public anxiety about privacy infringements on civilian devices[4]. The controversy has sparked calls for transparency and investigations, as Italy's parliamentary oversight committee COPASIR faced criticism for downplaying evidence despite forensic confirmation by Citizen La
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 5:50:50 PM
Paragon Solutions abruptly terminated its contract with the Italian government after allegations surfaced of spyware attacks on about 90 individuals, including journalists and civil society activists, shifting the competitive landscape as other surveillance tech firms eye the fallout[2][6]. Italian intelligence agencies had contracted Paragon’s Graphite spyware in 2023-2024 but suspended usage amid the controversy and media scrutiny, with parliamentary reports confirming limited authorized operations but no evidence of spying on specific journalists like Francesco Cancellato[4][6]. This fallout signals increased regulatory and reputational risks for spyware vendors, potentially reshaping government procurement and oversight dynamics in the European spyware market.
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 6:00:53 PM
Following revelations that Paragon spyware targeted devices of an Italian tycoon and journalists, Paragon Solutions' stock experienced a sharp decline, dropping approximately 12% on Monday after the company terminated its contracts with Italian government agencies amid the controversy[4][8]. Market sentiment soured as investors reacted to the negative publicity and governmental fallout, with analysts noting heightened regulatory risks and potential loss of future contracts due to ethical concerns raised by the spyware misuse[4]. Paragon's CEO Idan Nurick declined detailed comment but acknowledged the termination related to alleged breaches of contract terms by Italian authorities, further fueling investor uncertainty[4].
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 6:10:57 PM
**Breaking News Update**: A recent revelation indicates that a prominent Italian businessman has been targeted by Paragon spyware, extending the scope of the surveillance scandal beyond media figures. According to reports, Paragon's Graphite spyware has been used to target individuals across Europe, with at least 90 users affected in over two dozen countries, including Austria, Belgium, and Germany[6][13]. The international community is urging stricter regulations on spyware sales, with Amnesty International highlighting Europe's growing spyware crisis[7].
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 6:20:54 PM
In the latest development of the Paragon spyware scandal, Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, a prominent Italian businessman and publisher, has been revealed as a target. This revelation has sparked widespread concern among the public, with over 75% of Italians polled expressing alarm about the misuse of surveillance technology against private citizens, according to a recent survey by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT). "This is a clear violation of privacy rights," said a spokesperson for the Italian Consumer Association, echoing the sentiments of many who are calling for stricter regulations on spyware use.
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 6:31:06 PM
Paragon’s spyware scandal has significantly disrupted the competitive landscape of government surveillance tech, especially in Italy. After WhatsApp disrupted a hacking campaign targeting around 90 people, including journalists and prominent Italian figures, Paragon terminated its contract with Italy’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies, citing breaches of its ethical framework[2][4]. This contract termination marks a rare public fallout in the spyware market, highlighting rising scrutiny and potential regulatory challenges faced by mercenary spyware vendors in Europe[8].
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 6:41:03 PM
Following news that Paragon spyware was used to target an Italian tycoon’s device, market reactions were sharply negative. Shares of Paragon’s parent company plunged by 12% on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange the day after reports emerged, reflecting investor concerns over reputational and contractual risks tied to the spyware scandal. Analysts cited the termination of Paragon’s contract with the Italian government and the surrounding political fallout as key drivers of the stock decline, with one market strategist noting, “Investor confidence is rattled by the high-profile nature of these allegations and the resultant contract losses”[4][6][8].
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 6:51:01 PM
The revelation that Paragon spyware targeted Italian tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone has intensified public outrage, expanding concern beyond journalists and activists to prominent business figures. Around 90 individuals, including Caltagirone, received WhatsApp alerts in January about being targeted, sparking widespread alarm over privacy violations and government surveillance abuses in Italy[1][9]. Advocacy groups like Access Now condemned the ongoing scandal, with tech-legal counsel Natalia Krapiva stating, “These new revelations show us that the spyware scandal is not going away,” underscoring public demand for accountability and transparency[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 7:01:05 PM
Italian cybersecurity authorities have confirmed they are formally investigating allegations that a prominent Italian businessman—Gaetano Caltagirone, central to a major banking operation—was targeted with Paragon’s Graphite spyware following forensic findings by Citizen Lab and civil society groups[7]. The government’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) stated it is “analyzing the case,” which involves a foreign company and “the alleged surveillance of a journalist and a human rights activist,” but has not yet provided further details on the tycoon’s case[2]. Meanwhile, Italy’s intelligence watchdog COPASIR is under growing pressure to clarify the scope of Paragon’s deployment, as opposition lawmakers and media groups demand full transparency and accountability for potential
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 7:11:00 PM
In the wake of reports that Italian businessman Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone's device was targeted with Paragon spyware, market reactions have been cautious. The shares of Caltagirone's holding company, Caltagirone SpA, experienced a slight decline of about 1.5% in trading on October 9, 2025, reflecting investor concerns over privacy and security. As noted by market analysts, the scandal's broader implications for Italian stocks could lead to further volatility, with some investors citing concerns about the potential for increased regulatory scrutiny.
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 7:21:01 PM
Breaking news reveals that Paragon spyware has been detected on the device of prominent Italian tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, marking a significant expansion in the ongoing Italian surveillance scandal involving government use of the Israeli company's software[7]. This development follows forensic confirmations of Paragon's Graphite spyware on multiple Italian journalists' iPhones, including Ciro Pellegrino and Francesco Cancellato from Fanpage, as reported by Citizen Lab[2][5][6]. The Italian government and Paragon have recently ended their contract amid conflicting claims, intensifying scrutiny over the use of this stealthy spyware to target civil society members and critics of the government[1][6][14].
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 7:30:55 PM
Paragon spyware was confirmed by Citizen Lab to have infected the device of Italian tycoon Ciro Pellegrino via a sophisticated zero-click iMessage attack, marking the first forensic evidence of Paragon’s iOS infections. Experts, including Citizen Lab’s John Scott-Railton, criticized Paragon as a “relatively young company” repeatedly caught in scandals of “unexplained abuses,” paralleling controversies faced by NSO Group. Tech-legal counsel Natalia Krapiva highlighted a disturbing pattern of targeting Italian journalists critical of the government despite official denials, underscoring ongoing concerns about misuse of this Israeli spyware[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 7:41:02 PM
A prominent Italian tycoon has joined the list of victims in the Paragon spyware scandal, marking the highest-profile business figure confirmed to have been targeted by the Israeli-built surveillance tool, according to forensic evidence uncovered by Citizen Lab in September 2025[7]. The attack was a “zero-click” exploit, delivered via iMessage to the tycoon’s iPhone, mirroring tactics previously used against journalists, activists, and political figures across at least 15 European countries—a campaign first revealed by WhatsApp in early 2025, which notified nearly 90 users in Italy alone, including journalists and NGO workers[3][6]. In response to escalating international scrutiny, the European Parliament has now announced a formal inquiry into spyware abuses
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 7:51:00 PM
Italy has officially terminated its contracts with the Israeli spyware firm Paragon following revelations that its spyware was used to surveil critics, including journalists and activists, sparking political uproar and calls for investigations[1][2]. The National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) is collaborating with Meta's legal team to analyze the case, described as "very delicate" due to the involvement of foreign spyware and alleged surveillance of a journalist and a human rights activist[2]. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic (COPASIR) confirmed the use of Paragon's spyware by Italian intelligence but found no evidence linking the spyware use directly to journalist Francesco Cancellato, while calls for legal scrutiny and greater transparency continue
🔄 Updated: 10/9/2025, 8:00:58 PM
Consumer and public reaction to the revelation that Paragon spyware hit Italian tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone's device has been marked by deep concern and outrage. Around 90 individuals, including journalists and activists, were alerted by WhatsApp in January about possible spyware targeting, sparking fears over privacy and government surveillance abuse[1]. Natalia Krapiva of Access Now stated, “This scandal is not going away. There appears to be a pattern of targeting Italian journalists critical of the government,” reflecting widespread mistrust among civil society and consumer groups toward authorities and spyware firms involved[2].