Journalists in Italy File Legal Complaint Over Alleged Government Spy Hacking

Italy's national union for journalists has initiated legal action against Giorgia Meloni’s government following claims it improperly utilized spyware to hack the phones of critics rather than criminals. This complaint, submitted to prosecutors in Rome on Wednesday, comes after revelations in late January that several political activists and journalists, including Francesco Cancellato, had their mobile devices targeted by unauthorized parties using Paragon’s Graphite spyware, known for military applications.

According to the Guardian, the government has not clarified its position since the allegations surfaced. Lorenzo Fontana, the president of the Italian parliament, has restricted discussions in parliament regarding these claims, asserting prior information has been disclosed and further details are classified. Meloni's office has denied that any government entities were involved in the alleged surveillance. Critics, including former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, have condemned the government's avoidance of oversight as a threat to democracy.

Legal experts caution that the use of such spyware against citizens violates constitutional protections. The ongoing investigation seeks to determine accountability and the scope of spying on dissenting voices in Italy.