Prepared by: ECF
Two new cases of the unlawful use of spyware against journalists have been uncovered in Italy. The news follows revelations in February this year that several Italian journalists and civil society actors were found to have been targeted with Paragon’s Graphite spyware, including founders and leaders of the sea rescue group Mediterranea Saving Humans.
A report published by the Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic confirmed that the spyware was deployed by the Italian state against journalists and activists, but justified the use on the grounds of national security. Following the revelations in February, the Italian government claimed that the spyware was used legally. It argued that monitoring the staff of the sea rescue organisation was justified because of the organisation’s suspected role in facilitating illegal immigration.
