Slashdot: Researchers Confirm Two Journalists Were Hacked With Paragon Spyware

Jun 13, 2025

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Source URL: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/25/06/12/2235231/researchers-confirm-two-journalists-were-hacked-with-paragon-spyware?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Researchers Confirm Two Journalists Were Hacked With Paragon Spyware

Feedly Summary:

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: Recent research by The Citizen Lab reveals that European journalists, including an Italian reporter, were targeted and hacked using Israeli surveillance spyware from Paragon. This marks an alarming confirmation of previous suspicions regarding the misuse of government spyware, which could suggest broader implications for privacy, compliance, and cybersecurity in Europe.

Detailed Description: The growing concern around governmental surveillance and the use of spyware has been highlighted by recent investigations into the hacking of journalists in Europe. The report released by The Citizen Lab sheds light on critical cybersecurity and privacy implications:

– **Hacking Confirmation**: Two journalists have been confirmed as victims of hacking via Paragon’s spyware, known as Graphite, signaling a serious privacy violation.
– **Target Identification**: Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino was previously unverified as a target until digital forensic evidence linked him to the spyware attack.
– **Government Involvement**: Paragon’s spyware is reportedly used by Italian government agencies, suggesting institutional involvement in privacy infringements.
– **COPASIR Findings**: The parliamentary committee’s lack of acknowledgement of Pellegrino in their report raises questions about oversight and governance in intelligence operations.
– **Wider Implications**: The case adds to ongoing concerns about state-sponsored surveillance tactics in Europe, particularly against journalists and nonprofit workers, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals against powerful surveillance tools.

This incident underscores the necessity for enhanced security, compliance measures, and governance around the use of surveillance technologies, particularly to protect individuals’ privacy rights in a digital age. Security and compliance professionals must consider the implications of such spyware on their systems and the ethical responsibilities organizations have when dealing with surveillance and privacy concerns.

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