The hits continue from the recent hacker campaign WhatsApp (still not confirmed by the essence) aimed at almost 100 journalists and activistsField Bloomberg reported On Wednesday, that the collection of Italian media groups filed a criminal complaint to the prosecutor's office of Rome. They hope to find out who installed spy software with a zero click, which was made by Israeli Paragon solutions.
In accordance with BloombergThe complaint describes spy software as “unbearable invasion of personal and professional measurement of journalists,“ identifying them and their sources ”for huge and still constant risks for their individual security.” He claims that the responsible violated the laws of Italy prohibiting the “illegal installation” of equipment for eavesdropping.
WhatsApp said that he handed it in private to notify the victims of hacking, which, as reported, took place in December and aimed at users throughout Europe. Three Italian victims performed, including Francesco Kanchellato (journalist and head Fanpage.it) And the activists of Beppe Caccia and Luca Casarini. The last two are focused on charity with the group Mediterranean saves peopleField
WhatsApp said that hacking zero click used malicious PDF files sent to groups on the platform. Since then, the company has issued a correction to prevent the future use of exploit.
The scandal is pressure on the Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Melony and her extreme right-wing part of Italy. Earlier this month, the government confirmed that at least seven Italian phones participated in the campaign and that his National Cybersecurity Agency investigated. Arturo Di Corinto, representative of the agency, said Bloomberg This week the investigation continued.
The Italian government denied participation in hacks, but the assumptions are replete. Last week, Minister of Cabinet Luke Syriani confirmed In parliament, the government signed a long -standing contract with Paragon for help in intelligence and national security. However, he insisted that the law was “strictly respected.”
Keeper reported This paragon recently suspended the contract with Italy after the attack of spy software became public. Nevertheless, Ciriani said that the contract for reconnaissance services with Paragon is still active, which suggests that there was a second agreement. Indeed, Israel Haarets reported This paragon had two contracts with Italy to use its software for graphite of the military class, which, according to WhatsApp, was used to infect victims.
Paragon, in fact, the professional company Spyware, has a policy of doing business only with democratic governments. This is recently Introduced In a disputed contract of $ 2 million with a department of immigration and customs activities of the United States (ICE). Paragon was acquired In December, the American private investment company AE Industrial Partners. The company has not yet commented on hacking.