Italian authorities have confirmed that a journalist, Francesco Cancellato, was hacked with Paragon spyware, shedding light on a wider spyware scandal in Italy. The spyware attack, which also targeted immigration activists Giuseppe Caccia and Luca Casarini, was identified through a technical report that revealed traces of infection on their phones. The report indicated a coordinated effort, suggesting a comprehensive infection campaign.
This revelation marks the first independent verification of Cancellato’s hack, following alerts received in early 2025 regarding the use of Paragon spyware against journalists and civil society members. While Italian judicial authorities uncovered operations against Caccia and Casarini, no evidence of an operation against Cancellato was found previously.
The source of the hack remains unknown, adding to the intrigue surrounding this spyware scandal. The involvement of Paragon Solutions, an Israeli-based company now under American ownership, underscores the international dimensions of cybersecurity threats faced today.
As investigations continue, the case highlights the persistent challenges posed by sophisticated spyware technologies and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in safeguarding sensitive information.
Source: TechCrunch