Latest news with #AlfredoMantovano
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Italian government approved use of spyware on members of refugee NGO, MPs told
The Italian government approved the use of a sophisticated surveillance tool to spy on members of a humanitarian NGO because they were allegedly deemed a possible threat to national security, MPs have heard. Alfredo Mantovano, a cabinet undersecretary, made the admission during a classified meeting with Copasir, the parliamentary committee for national security, according to a person familiar with the situation. Copasir is investigating whether the secret services breached the law in using Graphite, military-grade spyware made by Israel-based Paragon Solutions, to monitor activists and journalists, and is expecting to report on its finding soon. Giorgia Meloni's government has been under pressure to address the case since January, when a handful of Italian activists and a journalist received warnings from WhatsApp, the messaging app owned by Meta, that their phones had been targeted by spyware. The government initially denied involvement, but Mantovano, who oversees the intelligence services, told the committee that the spyware had targeted Luca Casarini and Giuseppe Caccia, the founders of Mediterranea Saving Humans, an NGO that tries to protect refugees who cross the Mediterranean. He said the spyware was approved by the government and the attorney general of Rome's court of appeal, and that the intelligence agencies used the surveillance system within the parameters of the law in order to conduct a 'preventive' investigation into illegal immigration. He denied the spyware was used to target Francesco Cancellato, the editor-in-chief of the Italian news outlet Fanpage. Mantovano's assertions, which were first reported by La Repubblica, have so far not been denied by the government. Paragon suspended its relationship with Italy when the breaches emerged, a person familiar with the matter told the Guardian. The company's spyware is intended for use on criminals. Mediterranea Saving Humans said it was informed about Mantovano's claims by journalist sources, adding in a statement that the 'secret operation worthy of a regime' had been 'unmasked to the world'. In addition to the Copasir inquiry, prosecutors in five cities, including Rome, Palermo, Naples, Bologna and Venice, are investigating claims after complaints were submitted by targets of the alleged spyware breach, who include Mattia Ferrari, a priest, and David Yambio, a humanitarian activist, both of whom have worked with Mediterranea Saving Humans. 'Five prosecutors are investigating and we trust someone will have the courage to get to the bottom of it and demonstrate, as is clear, that this is an abuse of power and nothing else,' Mediterranea Saving Humans added.
Reuters
04-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Italy open to reviewing golden power rules on M&A to cut red tape
ROME, March 4 (Reuters) - Italy's government is open to changing its "golden power" legislation allowing intervention on mergers and takeovers, a cabinet undersecretary said on Tuesday, as part of efforts to cut red tape weighing on businesses. Designed at the EU level to fend off unwanted non-European Union buyers, the golden power rules were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to shield companies deemed as strategic when valuations crashed. Some countries, including Italy, have applied the legislation to the financial sector - in addition to others - and among the deals currently under consideration is UniCredit's ( opens new tab unsolicited bid for smaller bank Banco BPM ( opens new tab. Cabinet undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano said companies were increasingly prone to informing authorities of any potential deal to avoid possible infractions and fines, but most of their notifications did not prompt any action from the government. "One key point for reflection is the significant gap between the number of notifications and the number of measures actually adopted," said Mantovano, a close aide to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He said notifications had grown by roughly 30% in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, and it was reasonable to consider changes. "It is reasonable to consider ... the possibility of fine-tuning the law to assess whether any aspects need adjustment," he told reporters at the presentation of the annual national intelligence report. Mantovano said golden powers should not be used to shield workers from job cuts, unless the number of employees in a company is so significant to pose issues of a national interest. EU authorities are also reviewing the framework for the screening of foreign direct investment to propose more uniform rules, officials have previously told Reuters. Get a look at the day ahead in European and global markets with the Morning Bid Europe newsletter. Sign up here.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Italian government denies Paragon has cut spyware contract
ROME (Reuters) - Italy denied on Wednesday that Israeli spyware maker Paragon had cut ties with Rome following allegations that the Italian government had illegally used its technology to hack the phones of critics instead of criminals. "Paragon has never suspended the service and has not terminated its contract," the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano, told reporters. Luca Ciriani, the minister for parliamentary relations, also addressed the issue in a parliamentary session, reiterating that Italy's intelligence service had respected the law and had not used the Paragon software to spy on "entities specifically protected by that law, primarily journalists". See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Meta's WhatsApp chat service revealed earlier this month that Paragon spyware had targeted scores of users, including a journalist and a human rights activist critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italy's government subsequently said that seven mobile phone users in the country had been targeted by the spyware, which is intended for use on criminals. It denied any involvement in the illicit hack and called for an investigation. However, the Guardian and Haaretz newspapers reported last week that Paragon had cut ties with Italy, allegedly because it did not believe the government denial. Paragon, which works exclusively with state entities, and its owner, Florida investment group AE Industrial Partners, has not responded to repeated emails from Reuters about the reports. Ciriani told parliament at that Paragon was still working with Italy. "All systems have been and are fully operational against those who threaten the interests and security of the nation," he said. Ciriani added that Italy's judiciary should investigate the alleged hacks on reporters and human rights activists. "The Italian Services are ready to provide all their support," he said.
Reuters
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Italian government denies Paragon has cut spyware contract
ROME, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Italy denied on Wednesday that Israeli spyware maker Paragon had cut ties with Rome following allegations that the Italian government had illegally used its technology to hack the phones of critics instead of criminals. "Paragon has never suspended the service and has not terminated its contract," the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano, told reporters. Luca Ciriani, the minister for parliamentary relations, also addressed the issue in a parliamentary session, reiterating that Italy's intelligence service had respected the law and had not used the Paragon software to spy on "entities specifically protected by that law, primarily journalists". Meta's WhatsApp chat service revealed earlier this month that Paragon spyware had targeted scores of users, including a journalist and a human rights activist critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italy's government subsequently said that seven mobile phone users in the country had been targeted by the spyware, which is intended for use on criminals. It denied any involvement in the illicit hack and called for an investigation. However, the Guardian and Haaretz newspapers reported last week that Paragon had cut ties with Italy, allegedly because it did not believe the government denial. Paragon, which works exclusively with state entities, and its owner, Florida investment group AE Industrial Partners, has not responded to repeated emails from Reuters about the reports. Ciriani told parliament at that Paragon was still working with Italy. "All systems have been and are fully operational against those who threaten the interests and security of the nation," he said. Ciriani added that Italy's judiciary should investigate the alleged hacks on reporters and human rights activists. "The Italian Services are ready to provide all their support," he said.
