Italy - March 2025

The parliamentary intelligence oversight committee (Copasir) is investigating allegations that activists and investigative journalists were targeted with spyware developed by the Israel-based company Paragon, and the extent of government involvement. The inquiry aims to assess whether the surveillance complied with Italian law and whether intelligence services acted within their legal mandate. Copasir will present its findings to Parliament. Although hearings are classified, Italian media reported in March that the official overseeing intelligence agencies admitted the government had approved surveillance of certain activists as part of a “preventive investigation into illegal immigration.” The official reportedly said Mediterranea Saving Humans, which rescues migrants in the Mediterranean, was classified as a national security threat. On 5 February, the government confirmed that seven unnamed WhatsApp users were targeted but denied involvement.  

Update: A 9 June Copasir report concluded spyware was ‘lawfully’ used against Mediterranean activists, not for their human rights work but for their suspected irregular immigration activities. According to the report, Italian intelligence contracted Paragon in 2023 and 2024 but ended ties after the April 2025 media backlash. The report highlights that only a few individuals were targeted, all with a prosecutor’s approval. 

Sources: International Federation of Journalists, Council of Europe, The Guardian, Euractiv, la Repubblica (1), la Repubblica (2), il Fatto Quotidiano, Euractiv, Italian Senate, Euractiv, Ansa, Amnesty International