Paragon says it has cancelled its contract with Italy over the government’s refusal to investigate spyware attacks against journalists

Spyware maker Paragon has accused the Italian government of refusing to help in investigating whether journalists spy on the technology. According to the statement on monday.

In a statement First reported by HaaretzParagon argued that it was this refusal that encouraged the company to cut ties with Italian government clients.

“The company has provided both the Italian government and the parliament with a way to determine whether it was being used against journalists in violation of Italian law and terms of contract,” read the statement. “Paragon has ended its contract in Italy as Italian authorities chose not to proceed with this solution.”

Paragon confirmed with TechCrunch that the statement was accurate. After TechCrunch asked Paragon’s executive chairman John Fleming for comment, Emily Horne, who works for Westexec Advisors, responded to a statement in the Haaretz article saying that he “refers to all media queries.”

This is the first time a spyware provider has publicly stated that it will reduce relationships with certain customers after reporting abuse.

Spyware Maker’s accusation is the latest twist in WhatsApp’s January scandal A mass hacking campaign revealed Target users. The messaging app Giant said it has warned about 90 users that it is being targeted by Spyware, created by Paragon, co-founded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak (pictured). Paragon, There is a contract Due to US immigration and customs enforcement, it is sold in the US and Europe as a more responsible vendor compared to its industry predecessors.

Francesco Cancerato, director of the fan page for the news website He was the first person to come saying he received a WhatsApp notificationa journalist Paragon mentioned in his statement.

Paragon’s statement is a response to Report It was published last week by an Italian Parliamentary Committee known as Copasir. This investigated a domestic spyware scandal. The committee concluded that there was no evidence that Cancerato was a target of two Italian intelligence agencies, AISI and AISE, and was confirmed as a client of Paragon.

Hours after Harletts issued Paragon’s statement, the Italian government rejected Paragon’s statement, saying that the decision to first halt its contract with Paragon and then terminate it was mutual. Italian newswire ANSA quotes.

The source is also the security information department (dis), the Italian government agency overseeing AISE and AISI has refused Paragon’s help to check the logs of the institution’s graphite spyware system. Sources claimed that Paragon would argue that it would undermine the reputation of Italian intelligence reporting agencies among its international peers.

The Italian government, led by Copasir and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

Cancellato responded to Paragon’s statement Video posted on the fan page. “Who is lying to this story? Copasir or Paragon?” he said.

“To find it, all we have to do is ask Paragon to officially tell them who spies on the fanpage. Did they say they can find it?

Fanpage reporter Ciro Pellegrino in late April He said he received a notification from Apple That he was targeting government spyware. Copasir’s investigation did not mention the Pellegrino case.

Meanwhile, Copasir has confirmed that other Paragon Spyware victims are legally targeted. They are Luca Casarini and Giuseppe KacciaWorks for a nonprofit organization in Italy. Near underground saves humansto save immigrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. and David Yambiopresident and co-founder Libyan refugeesA non-governmental organization operating in Italy.

Copasir said they were all legally investigated for their activities related to alleged illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, Copasir concluded that there is no evidence of surveillance Mattia FerrariA priest who works on Mediterranea’s rescue ship, saving humans who receive notifications from WhatsApp.

in Statement to ANSA Copasir said Monday that he was willing to defend his investigation work on the hearing held on April 9 with Paragon representatives. The statement said Copasir was surprised by Paragon’s statement.