Italy and Israeli surveillance tech company Paragon have terminated their partnership after accusations surfaced that the Italian government misused the spyware to target critics, according to a parliamentary report released Monday and a statement from Paragon.
While both parties confirmed the cessation of their collaboration, their accounts differ, sparking backlash from opposition lawmakers in Italy. The National Federation of the Italian Press (FNSI) urged prosecutors to investigate the matter thoroughly.
In January, a WhatsApp representative from Meta revealed that the spyware had been used to target several individuals in Italy, including a journalist and members of the Mediterranea migrant rescue organization, known for criticizing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The Italian government acknowledged in February that seven mobile users had been affected by the spyware, but denied any wrongdoing. It also claimed to have tasked the National Cybersecurity Agency with investigating the issue.
A recent report by the parliamentary security oversight committee, COPASIR, indicated that Italian intelligence agencies initially paused and later terminated their use of Paragon’s technology after public backlash. The exact timing of the contract’s termination remains unclear, especially since the government had stated on February 12 that the agreement was still active.
COPASIR also noted it found no proof that journalist Francesco Cancellato, the editor of Fanpage and an alleged spyware target, had actually been surveilled using Paragon’s tools, as he had reported to Reuters and other media.
Paragon, in a statement published by Fanpage, claimed it ceased providing services to Italy after Cancellato’s case became public, and said the government rejected its offer for a joint investigation into the matter.
The company declined to respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Opposition leaders demanded that the government provide transparency in parliament. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Meloni declined to comment.
According to the COPASIR report, Italian domestic and foreign intelligence agencies signed contracts with Paragon in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The spyware was reportedly used in limited cases, under judicial authorization, for national security purposes including tracking fugitives, countering illegal immigration, investigating terrorism and organized crime, and conducting anti-espionage operations.