Francesco Nicodemo, a political consultant with ties to Italy’s center-left Partito Democratico (Democratic Party), has publicly announced he was targeted by Paragon spyware, adding another layer to the ongoing spyware controversy in Italy. This latest revelation underscores concerns about the scope and potential misuse of surveillance technology, even as government agencies claim such tools are exclusively used against serious criminals.
Nicodemo’s Account and Initial Hesitation
Nicodemo revealed in a Facebook post on Thursday that he received a WhatsApp notification indicating potential spyware activity on his phone, beginning approximately ten months ago. Despite being aware of the intrusion, he initially chose not to publicize his case, stating he “did not want to be used for political propaganda.” He eventually decided to speak out, questioning the rationale behind targeting him: “Why me? How is it possible that such a sophisticated and complex tool was used to spy on a private citizen, as if he were a drug trafficker or a subversive threat to the country?” Nicodemo has declined to elaborate further, deferring to others to explain the situation.
Expanding Scope of Italian Spyware Scandal
Nicodemo’s case expands the circle of victims in the growing Italian spyware scandal. Previous victims include journalists, immigration activists, and prominent business executives. This pattern of targeting individuals beyond those suspected of serious crimes raises serious questions about the oversight and justification for the use of powerful surveillance tools. News site Fanpage initially reported Nicodemo’s case, after he, like other victims, received a notification from WhatsApp indicating potential spyware activity.
Government Claims vs. Reality
Governments and spyware vendors routinely assert that these technologies are deployed solely against terrorism and organized crime. However, the ongoing revelations in Italy paint a different picture. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at The Citizen Lab, highlighted the troubling lack of clarity surrounding many cases. He believes the Italian government could and should provide greater transparency regarding the incidents, and that Paragon could also offer explanations for what happened. Until transparency is achieved, the cases will continue to be a source of concern.
Unanswered Questions and Corporate Silence
Several questions remain unanswered: who among Paragon’s customers targeted Nicodemo, and why? REDLattice, a cybersecurity company that merged with Paragon following its acquisition by a U.S. private equity firm, and Paragon itself have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Parliamentary Committee Findings and Intelligence Agency Involvement
In June, an Italian parliamentary committee, COPASIR, confirmed that some victims, primarily immigration activists, were lawfully hacked by Italian intelligence agencies, which operate under the direction of right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, COPASIR found no evidence that Francesco Cancellato, director of news website Fanpage.it, was targeted by Italian intelligence. Notably, COPASIR did not investigate the case of Cancellato’s colleague, Ciro Pellegrino.
The latest developments in the Italian spyware scandal underscore the urgent need for stricter oversight and greater transparency in the use of powerful surveillance tools, preventing their misuse and ensuring the protection of civil liberties.
