Paragon spyware, a military-grade hacking software developed by Paragon Solutions, has been at the center of a major controversy. WhatsApp recently announced that Paragon’s spyware was used to target approximately 90 individuals across two dozen countries.
The victims included journalists, activists, and members of civil society. This spyware attack raises serious concerns about privacy and security.
Following these revelations, Paragon Solutions has terminated its contract with Italy. A person familiar with the matter, speaking anonymously to The Guardian.
Paragon Solutions Ends Contract with Italy Over Violation of Ethical Framework For Using Paragon Spyware
The decision followed the initial suspension of the contract last Friday, “out of an abundance of caution,” after allegations of potential spyware abuse surfaced. The full termination came after Paragon determined that Italy violated the terms of service and ethical framework within their Paragon contract.
Among the targets were an Italian investigative journalist and two activists who had been critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. Meloni’s office denied any government involvement in the alleged breaches.
The Italian government stated that WhatsApp informed them of seven affected Italian citizens, although the identities of the others remain unclear.
Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage, a prominent investigative news outlet, was one of the first to publicly report being targeted.
His publication previously investigated young fascists within Meloni’s party. Other targets included Libyan activist Husam El Gomati and Luca Casarini, founder of NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, both vocal critics of Italy’s actions regarding migrants in Libya.
Paragon’s Graphite spyware, similar to NSO Group’s Pegasus, can infect phones without user knowledge or interaction with malicious links. WhatsApp stated that malicious PDFs sent via group chats were likely the infection vector.
The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto assisted in discovering these hacking attempts in December. The duration of surveillance and the specific government clients involved remain unknown.
The alleged WhatsApp hacking involved targets across Europe, including Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of the Paragon spyware’s misuse.
Paragon Solutions was recently acquired by AE Industrial Partners, a US firm with significant assets under management focused on national security. They have not commented on the situation.
Paragon also had a $2 million contract with ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which was reportedly suspended pending compliance review with an executive order restricting spyware use by the federal government. The current status of this contract is unclear. Both ICE and Paragon have not responded to inquiries about the contract.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is malicious software designed to secretly gather information about a user’s activity on their computer or mobile device. This information can include browsing history, keystrokes, passwords, location data, and more.
Spyware often operates in the background without the user’s knowledge, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive personal data. It can be installed through various methods, including malicious websites, infected email attachments, or even through seemingly legitimate software.
The consequences of a spyware infection can range from identity theft and financial loss to privacy violations and reputational damage. Understanding what is spyware and how to protect yourself is crucial in today’s digital landscape.
The situation highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the spyware industry. If your WhatsApp account is hacked, immediate action is necessary to mitigate further damage.
If your WhatsApp account is hacked, immediate action is necessary to mitigate further damage. The situation highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the spyware industry.
