Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000600/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Pina Picierno (S&D), Giorgio Gori (S&D), Camilla Laureti (S&D), Estelle Ceulemans (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Marc Angel (S&D), Birgit Sippel (S&D), Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D), Irene Tinagli (S&D), Kristian Vigenin (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Maria Grapini (S&D)
Several newspapers[1][2][3] revealed on 31 January 2025 that WhatsApp had informed more than 100 journalists and civil society representatives worldwide that they had been attacked by spyware developed by the Israeli company Paragon Solutions. Also among the victims is Francesco Cancellato, director of the online newspaper Fanpage.it.
This attack allowed hackers to illegally gain full access to victims’ devices, collecting sensitive data and intercepting private communications on the encrypted platform.
In the light of these events, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.What measures will the Commission take to launch an investigation to ascertain the extent of this violation?
- 2.Will it launch an investigation to ascertain who is responsible and take action against the perpetrators?
- 3.What measures will it take to protect press freedom and journalists from such cyber attacks given the violations of Directive 2009/136/EC, Directive (EU) 2018/1972, Regulation (EU) 2024/1083, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2013/40/EU?
Submitted: 10.2.2025
- [1] https://www.fanpage.it/attualita/giornalisti-presi-di-mira-dallo-spyware-israeliano-paragon-spiato-anche-il-direttore-di-fanpage-it/.
- [2] https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/spiato-software-militare-israeliano-fondatore-ong-mediterranea-AGim5PjC?refresh_ce&nof.
- [3] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/31/italian-journalist-whatsapp-israeli-spyware.