Israeli Spyware Allegedly Targets Activist Criticizing Italy's Libya Policy

ITItaly|

Husam El Gomati, a Sweden-based Libyan activist critical of Italy's dealings with Libya’s coastguard, was alerted by WhatsApp that his mobile phone may have been compromised by military-grade spyware developed by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli firm. The breach, which also potentially affected 89 other activists and journalists, was disclosed by WhatsApp in late December 2024, raising concerns over the use of advanced cyberweapons by European governments, according to a report by The Guardian.

El Gomati, known for his investigations into illegal migration networks and militia connections in Libya, expressed fears for the safety of his confidential sources. He described Paragon’s spyware, known as Graphite, as a significant threat, enabling perpetrators to access users' private messages and information. He emphasized the implications for activists working against corruption, stating, "These matters can mean the difference between life and death."

While Paragon Solutions declined to comment, a source indicated the company has around 35 government clients. El Gomati's case follows an alert received by investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato, further indicating widespread concerns regarding spyware use.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Italy

Ancient Scrolls Revealed: AI Deciphers Charred Text from Herculaneum

Researchers have successfully utilized artificial intelligence to digitally unroll and read an ancient scroll, known as PHerc. 172, which was severely damaged during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. This scroll is one of several discovered in a luxury villa in Herculaneum, Italy, believed to have belonged to Julius Caesar's father-in-law. Dr. Brent Seales, co-founder of the Vesuvius Challenge, praised the achievement, noting, “This scroll contains more recoverable text than we have ever seen in a scanned Herculaneum scroll.” For the first time, the scroll reveals multiple columns of text, including the Ancient Greek word διατροπή, meaning "disgust," repeated twice. The scrolls were initially unreadable due to extreme charring, but, thanks to advancements in 3D X-ray capabilities from Diamond, the UK’s national synchrotron facility, scholars at the University of Oxford can now explore these ancient writings. Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s librarian, emphasized the collaborative nature of this project, highlighting the intersection of classical scholarship with modern technology.
ITItaly

Outrage Erupts as Donald Trump Jr. Hunts Rare Duck in Venice Lagoon

Donald Trump Jr. has sparked controversy after a hunting excursion in the lagoon of Venice, where he reportedly killed a rare duck species. A video released by Trump Jr. shows him shooting waterfowl in a protected area, which has drawn ire from local politicians and wildlife advocates. According to Andrea Zanoni, a local politician in Venice, the bird appears to be a Wigeon, which is protected under both Italian and European law, making its killing a crime. Zanoni has announced plans to pursue legal action against Trump Jr. for this incident, stating, “Venice and Italy are not the property of the USA,” emphasizing that hunting in the protected zone is prohibited for foreigners. The uproar began when the online magazine "Field Ethos," which Trump Jr. contributes to, posted the hunting video titled "The Global Hunt for Adventure." As the debate escalates, Italian authorities have stated that they will “handle the matter in a timely manner.” Trump Jr. has yet to comment on the situation.
ITItaly

Activist Alleges Targeting by Israeli Spyware Amid Concerns Over Italy's Libya Deal

Husam El Gomati, a Sweden-based Libyan activist, has reported being targeted by military-grade spyware associated with Paragon Solutions, an Israeli firm. The intrusion, discovered by WhatsApp in late December, reportedly affects El Gomati and 89 other activists and journalists, raising concerns over the misuse of cyberweapons by European governments. According to WhatsApp, the spyware could have compromised devices without the users' knowledge. El Gomati, who has been vocal against Italy’s collaboration with Libya’s coastguard to curb illegal migration, expressed concerns for the safety of his sources in Libya. He highlighted that the spyware, named Graphite, grants total access to the targeted device, including encrypted communication. “These matters can mean the difference between life and death,” he stated. He alerted the media following a WhatsApp notification that he was likely compromised, coinciding with the publication of sensitive documents related to migration networks and Italian intelligence. The Italian government has not commented on these allegations, and the identities of the clients behind the spyware usage remain unclear.
ITItaly
All Italy News ->