Latest news with #Fanpage
The Guardian
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Second Italian journalist allegedly targeted with ‘mercenary spyware'
A second Italian journalist whose news organisation exposed young fascists within the prime minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right party was targeted with sophisticated 'mercenary spyware', according to an Apple notification received by the reporter. Ciro Pellegrino is the second reporter at the investigative news outlet Fanpage to fall victim to an alleged spyware attack, after his editor-in-chief, Francesco Cancellato. Cancellato revealed in January that he had received a notification that he had been targeted with software produced by the Israel-based Paragon Solutions, a company that had a client relationship with the Italian government at the time. Pellegrino is the sixth individual in Italy to have been subjected to spyware allegedly deployed by state actors, after Cancellato and four other civil society members and activists. The others are Luca Casarini and Beppe Caccia, the Italian founders of the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, who are vocal critics of Italy's alleged complicity in abuses suffered by migrants in Libya; Father Mattia Ferrari, a chaplain on a migrant rescue ship owned by the NGO, who had a close relationship with Pope Francis; and David Yambio, an Italy-based human rights activist. Pellegrino told the Guardian: 'On Tuesday evening I received a notification from Apple informing me that it had detected a mercenary spyware attack targeting my device. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a prank. It's the first time anything like this has happened to me. It's a horrible feeling. 'Why have I been targeted? I've been asking myself that ever since the notification arrived. I will – and we will – ask that question publicly of anyone who has the authority and the duty to answer. An answer is owed … to everyone who has an interest in knowing who, in this country, has torn to shreds the clear boundary between security and surveillance, between legality and abuse.' Pellegrino, who has been critical of Meloni's government on social media, contacted researchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab, which tracks digital surveillance of civil society actors and helps to identify the kinds of spyware used in such attacks. Cancellato, Casarini, Caccia, Ferrari and Yambo were allegedly targeted with the military-grade Paragon software. Citing a person familiar with the matter, the Guardian reported in February that Paragonhad terminated its client relationship with Italy. It is not yet clear when Pellegrino's mobile phone was attacked or whether Paragon was used in his case. Like other spyware vendors, Paragon sells its cyberweapon to government clients who are supposed to use it to prevent crime. The company has said that under its terms of service, government clients are not permitted to target journalists or other members of civil society. A Paragon spokesperson said: 'Paragon requires all users of our technology to adhere to terms and conditions that preclude the illicit targeting of journalists and other civil society leaders. While we are not able to discuss individual customers, we have a zero-tolerance policy for violations of our terms of service.' In March during a classified meeting with Copasir, the Italian parliamentary committee for national security, Alfredo Mantovano, a cabinet undersecretary, admitted his government had approved the use of Paragon to spy on members of a humanitarian NGO because they were allegedly deemed a possible threat to national security. Copasir is investigating whether the secret services breached the law in using Paragon Solutions to monitor activists and journalists, and is expecting to report on its findings soon. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the Citizen Lab, said he believed the Italian government, a confirmed former Paragon user, was 'in a good position' to know whether the spyware had been used to target Pellegrino because it would have kept logs of deployments. 'The Paragon affair is not over for Italy, and now is a critical moment for clear and transparent official communication,' Railton said.
Mint
01-05-2025
- Mint
Apple issues spyware warnings to Dutch commentator, Italian journalist: Here's what happened
A Dutch political commentator and an Italian journalist are among the latest to receive alarming warnings from Apple, alerting them to possible spyware attacks targeting their iPhones. Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a prominent right-wing commentator, and Ciro Pellegrino, a journalist for Italian online news outlet Fanpage, both confirmed they had been notified by the tech giant in recent days. Vlaardingerbroek shared on social media platform X that she had been notified by Apple about a potential security threat. She described the message as an attempt to 'intimidate or silence' her, suggesting the targeting was politically motivated. Meanwhile, Pellegrino published an article detailing his experience, reported TechCrunch, confirming Apple had contacted him via both email and text message. 'Yes, it is not a joke,' he wrote, dispelling any suggestion that the message was a hoax or phishing scam. Apple's warning informed both people that a 'targeted mercenary spyware attack' had been detected against their iPhones. The message explained that the attackers were likely trying to infiltrate their devices specifically 'because of who you are or what you do,' urging recipients to treat the notification with utmost seriousness. The company stated that these alerts are part of its official threat notification system, intended to warn users about advanced cybersecurity threats. According to Apple's support page, these 'mercenary spyware' attacks are typically orchestrated by private firms developing surveillance tools that are then sold to governments or state actors. 'These attacks are highly targeted, expensive, and not aimed at the general population,' Apple explains, noting that the vast majority of iPhone users are unlikely to be affected. Nonetheless, for those who do receive a threat notification, the company advises immediate action and heightened caution. When a threat is detected, Apple notifies users in two ways: by displaying a notification at the top of the page when the user logs in to their account at and by sending alerts via both email and iMessage to all addresses and numbers linked to the user's Apple ID. The recent wave of warnings highlights ongoing concerns around spyware tools being used to monitor journalists, activists, and political figures globally. First Published: 1 May 2025, 05:00 PM IST
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Hans India
Apple Warns iPhone Users in 100 Countries of Mercenary Spyware Attacks
In anunprecedented move, Apple has issued emergency security alerts to iPhone usersacross more than 100 countries, warning them of targeted spyware attacks. Thecompany is reaching out directly to individuals who may be victims of what itcalls 'mercenary spyware' — sophisticated surveillance tools often sold togovernments and used to target people based on their identity or occupation. Thealerts, sent through Apple's official threat notification system, aim to informusers facing high-level security risks. Apple confirmed that these warningswere not widespread or random but instead part of a focused campaign targetingselect individuals in over 150 countries. Accordingto Apple's support documentation, the attacks involve 'targeted mercenaryspyware attacks', which are usually executed by private surveillance tools are often deployed in collaboration with state actors and are knownfor their ability to breach even the most secure devices. Apple clarifies thatthe targets of such spyware aren't chosen at random — they are people singledout for 'who they are or what they do.' Recentrecipients of the alert include high-profile individuals like EvaVlaardingerbroek, a right-wing commentator from the Netherlands, and Italianjournalist Ciro Pellegrino, who writes for the online news outlet Fanpage. Asreported by TechCrunch, Vlaardingerbroek posted on X (formerly Twitter) aboutreceiving the notification, suggesting it was meant to intimidate meanwhile, confirmed he received the same alert through both emailand iMessage. Addressing any doubts, he wrote plainly, 'Yes, it is not ajoke.' Thenotification from Apple reads: 'Apple has detected a targeted mercenaryspyware attack against your iPhone… This attack is likely targeting youspecifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it's neverpossible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple hashigh confidence in this warning. Please take it seriously.' Thisisn't Apple's first brush with such incidents. In July 2024, a similar set ofwarnings was dispatched to iPhone users believed to be under details of that earlier campaign were kept under wraps, the patternsuggests these attacks are not isolated. Appleemphasises that most users are unlikely to ever face this kind of for those who do receive the notification, it's essential to treat itwith urgency. The company's protocol includes two forms of notification: amessage shown at the top of the user's Apple ID account page upon logging in,and direct alerts via email and iMessage to addresses linked to the account. Bysounding the alarm early and publicly, Apple aims to protect its users andraise awareness about the growing threat of state-sponsored digitalsurveillance. This bold move also reinforces Apple's stance on privacy and usersecurity, even as the threat landscape becomes increasingly complex.
India Today
01-05-2025
- India Today
Not a joke: Here is why Apple sent a warning message to iPhone users in 100 countries
Apple is warning many iPhone users across the world about targeted spyware attacks. In recent days, many iPhone users, including some journalists, have reportedly received alarming notifications that they may be victims of what the company calls 'mercenary spyware.' The company has confirmed that these notifications were sent to affected users in 100 countries — over 150 countries in says that these alerts are part of its official threat notification system, which the company uses to inform users of serious cybersecurity risks — specifically, those involving highly sophisticated spyware campaigns. According to Apple's support page, the notified spyware attacks are 'targeted mercenary spyware attacks,' often carried out by private companies that develop surveillance tools and sell them to explains that these attacks are highly selective and expensive to deploy, targeting individuals not at random but because of 'who they are or what they do.' In the recent wave of alerts, among the iPhone users who reveal they received the notification are Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch right-wing commentator, and Ciro Pellegrino, an Italian journalist associated with the online outlet Fanpage, reports TechCrunch. Vlaardingerbroek posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating that she received the warning and viewed it as an attempt to intimidate or silence her. Pellegrino confirmed in an article that he was notified via both email and text message. He made it clear that this was no prank or phishing scheme, writing, 'Yes, it is not a joke.' Post shared by Eva Vlaardingerbroek on X (Formally Twitter) advertisementIn the warning message, Apple told recipients that it had 'detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your iPhone.' The company informed them that this attack is aimed at gaining entry into a specific iPhone. 'This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it's never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning. Please take it seriously,' reads Apple's notification, as shared by isn't the first time Apple has issued such warnings. The company has previously alerted users when they were being targeted by similar spyware. In July 2024, a similar wave of notifications was sent, though the details of that campaign remain undisclosed. Apple stresses that while the majority of iPhone users will never be targeted in this way, the attacks are serious enough that those who receive a notification should not ignore it. The company notes that if it detects activity consistent with a mercenary spyware attack, it notifies the targeted users in two ways: 'A Threat Notification is displayed at the top of the page after the user signs in to and it sends an email and iMessage notification to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with the user's Apple Account.'
Euronews
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Italian government denies illegal spying on journalists and activists using military-grade software
The Italian government has denied using military-grade surveillance technology to illegally spy on journalists and migrant activists but said it would cooperate with an investigation into digital "vulnerabilities" after at least seven Italian cellphones were apparently hacked with spyware. The story first broke on 31 January when Meta's WhatsApp messaging service informed dozens of people across the EU that their devices had been targeted using software from Paragon Solutions, an Israeli cyber technology company. In a statement, WhatsApp said it had disrupted "a spyware campaign by Paragon that targeted several users, including journalists and members of civil society." After The Guardian newspaper reported the hacking incident, the Italian government confirmed last Wednesday that at least seven Italian cellphones were involved and that it had ordered the National Cybersecurity Agency to investigate. Speaking to parliament's lower chamber on Wednesday, Cabinet Minister Luca Ciriani confirmed that the Italian government has long had a contract with Paragon Solutions for intelligence-gathering technology that can help fight terrorism and other national security threats. However, he insisted that privacy law was "rigorously respected" and denied that the government had used the technology to spy on journalists illegally. He also threatened legal action against any claims to the contrary. "Regardless, it's up to judicial authorities to ascertain the source of the vulnerabilities that have been claimed," he said, adding that Italian intelligence services "are ready to provide full support." A close watch Among the Italians targeted were Luca Casarini, the head of the migrant rescue group Mediterranea Saving Humans, and Francesco Cancellato, editor of the Fanpage news website, both of who have been critical of the government. The two confirmed in interviews Wednesday that they had been informed by WhatsApp on 31 January that their phones had been infected with spyware. The message they received from WhatsApp suggested they contact Citizen Lab, a laboratory at the University of Toronto's Munk School that has for years played a leading role in exposing state-backed hackers worldwide. Cancellato said he believed he had been targeted by hackers who wanted to see what investigative stories Fanpage was developing. The site has previously published undercover reporting on the youth branch of Premier Giorgia Meloni's far-right party, Brothers of Italy, in which its journalists exposed neofascist behaviour. Casarini, meanwhile, leads an aid group that rescues people in the Mediterranean. He has previously criticised the Italian government's support for Libyan patrols of its coastline to prevent people-smuggling boats from crossing the sea.
