Paragon Spyware Unveils New Target: Latest Developments in Cybersecurity Threats
On Wednesday, Mediterranea Saving Humans, an Italian nonprofit dedicated to rescuing immigrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, announced that one of its founders was targeted in a recent spyware campaign aimed at WhatsApp users. This alarming revelation highlights the ongoing threats faced by activists and journalists in their fight for human rights.
Spyware Targeting Activists
In a press release, Mediterranea revealed that WhatsApp had notified its founder, Luca Casarini, last week that he was a target of spyware developed by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli surveillance technology startup. On Friday, WhatsApp disclosed that it had disrupted an espionage operation utilizing Paragon spyware, which affected approximately 90 individuals.
Notable Targets of the Spyware Campaign
Initially, WhatsApp did not disclose the identities of those targeted, but several victims have since come forward, including:
- Francesco Cancellato: Director of Fanpage.it, known for exposing organized crime and corruption.
- Husam El Gomati: A Sweden-based activist critical of the collaboration between Libya and Italy in preventing migrant crossings.
- Luca Casarini: Founder of Mediterranea, who has been instrumental in advocating for immigrant rights.
All three individuals share a common thread; their work challenges the policies of Italy’s far-right government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Concerns Over Government Involvement
Mediterranea expressed grave concerns in their press release, questioning whether the Italian government authorized such operations and if the country’s intelligence services are utilizing Paragon software. They stated:
“The activities of rescue at sea and assistance to people imprisoned in Libyan camps or deported to the desert are under scrutiny from the Italian secret services, particularly the AISE, which operates in Libya and Tunisia.”
As of now, the Italian government has remained silent on these allegations. Requests for comments sent to government officials, including Fabrizio Alfano, have gone unanswered.
Paragon Solutions’ Response
John Fleming, executive chairman of Paragon’s U.S. subsidiary, has not commented specifically on Casarini’s situation. However, he stated that Paragon sells its products to a limited selection of global democracies, emphasizing:
“We have a zero-tolerance policy against the illicit targeting of journalists and civil society figures.”
Fleming has yet to clarify whether the Italian government is a client of Paragon or if the company is investigating the allegations made by WhatsApp.
Investigation by Citizen Lab
Mediterranea has indicated that the Citizen Lab, a digital rights organization at the University of Toronto, is actively investigating Casarini’s phone for signs of spyware. Senior researcher John Scott-Railton confirmed that they are scrutinizing Paragon’s practices, raising concerns about the broader implications of the spyware industry.
Industry Implications
Scott-Railton warned that the incidents involving Paragon and similar companies highlight a troubling trend within the mercenary spyware sector:
“If you sell surveillance tools, it’s just a question of when the technology will be abused, not if.”
This situation serves as a critical reminder of the potential for abuse in the surveillance industry, particularly in democratic nations.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to TechCrunch and other reliable news sources.
