Italian consultant targeted by Paragon spyware

Italian political consultant Francesco Nicodemo revealed that he was targeted with Paragon spyware, becoming the latest victim in Italy’s widening surveillance scandal, TechCrunch reports.

In a Facebook post, Nicodemo said he remained silent for ten months to avoid “political propaganda,” but now seeks answers, asking why “a private citizen” was treated like a criminal. 

The spyware campaign, first reported by Fanpage, has already ensnared journalists, activists, and business leaders, raising questions about Italy’s use of surveillance tools. 

According to The Citizen Lab’s John Scott-Railton, the case “doesn’t look good for Paragon or for Italy,” and greater transparency from both is urgently needed. 

While Italy’s parliamentary security committee confirmed that some victims were targeted by national intelligence agencies under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, others remain unexplained. 

Paragon, which has since severed ties with Italian agencies, continues to face scrutiny for its role, particularly after its merger with U.S. cybersecurity firm REDLattice.

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Sharon Florentine
Editorial Director