Journalists Targeted by Paragon Spyware in Ongoing Hacking Campaign

• •Two journalists confirmed hacked with Paragon spyware, raising concerns about press freedom.
• •Attack vector involved malicious PDFs sent via WhatsApp groups, affecting around 90 users.
• •Citizen Lab's findings contradict earlier reports by Italy's intelligence oversight committee.

Recent investigations confirmed that two European journalists were hacked using Paragon spyware, specifically targeting Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino and another unnamed European journalist. The spyware, linked to the Italian government, was previously associated with a broader campaign that affected around 90 users, including journalists and civil society members. The attack vector involved malicious PDFs sent via WhatsApp groups, which did not require any action from the targets. The Citizen Lab's report challenges previous findings by Italy's parliamentary committee, COPASIR, which claimed no evidence of spying on Pellegrino. This incident raises significant questions about the accountability of spyware companies and the implications for press freedom in Europe. The situation remains dynamic as investigations continue into the use of Paragon spyware by government entities.