Paragon Terminates Contract with Italy Over Spyware Misuse

Paragon Solutions, an Israeli startup providing surveillance technology, has ended its contracts with the Italian government amid allegations of misuse of its spyware in targeting journalists and activists. This decision follows a report from WhatsApp that highlighted a hacking campaign using Paragon's spyware, affecting around 90 individuals, including critical voices against the Italian regime led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. While seven Italians were confirmed as victims, the Italian government has denied any involvement in targeting journalists, emphasizing that proper legal procedures are in place. Affected journalist Francesco Cancellato expressed concern over the implications for press freedom and the integrity of his newsroom. Paragon's termination of its contract reflects growing scrutiny and ethical concerns surrounding the use of spyware technology, reminiscent of past controversies involving other surveillance firms like NSO Group. The situation is under investigation by Italy's National Cybersecurity Agency, which is in contact with Meta regarding the breaches.