David Yambio, an activist from Italy, revealed that his phone was under surveillance while providing the ICC with details about torture victims in Libya. The Citizen Lab confirmed the use of mercenary spyware against him. The case raises serious questions about governmental transparency, the misuse of surveillance technology, and underscores the need for stricter regulations to protect civil society advocates.
An Italian activist recently alerted the International Criminal Court (ICC) that his mobile phone had been compromised while he was sharing sensitive information regarding torture victims in Libya. David Yambio, the founder of Refugees in Libya, reported that the Citizen Lab from the University of Toronto confirmed his targeting by mercenary spyware during communication with the ICC around June 2024.
Yambio informed ICC members about the surveillance and urged them to verify their own devices for spyware. The ICC’s prosecutor’s office stated that they would not comment on ongoing investigations. This situation raises concerns about potential interference from a government agency equipped with military-grade spyware aimed at monitoring individuals engaging with ICC proceedings and those advocating for torture victims.
The issue compounds pressure on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following scrutiny regarding her government’s use of spyware. In prior incidents, several Italian activists and journalists reported receiving warnings about spyware threats targeting their devices. Recently, Meloni’s administration faced criticism for releasing a Libyan national, Osama Najim, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes, including human rights abuses.
The Citizen Lab’s findings indicated that numerous activists linked to Yambio, including two associates of Pope Francis, had also been subjected to invasive hacking software. While researchers continue to identify the specific spyware used against Yambio, they confirmed the involvement of Paragon Solutions, an Israeli entity now under U.S. ownership, in attacks against other activists.
The researchers noted, “We forensically analyzed multiple Android phones belonging to Paragon targets in Italy… and found clear indications that spyware had been loaded into WhatsApp, as well as other apps on their devices.” Despite the Italian government’s acknowledgment of its use of Paragon’s technology, they categorically denied association with recent surveillance attacks.
Currently, Paragon has suspended its contract with Italy. Concerns regarding the use of its spyware, Graphite, which can infiltrate phones and access private communications, have gained increased scrutiny following revelations from WhatsApp in January regarding targeted attacks on users. Yambio was first informed of the potential breach in November, leading to investigations by Cyber Hub-AM and Citizen Lab.
Apple, having provided forensic information to address the security flaw exploited in Yambio’s case, stated that such cyberattacks are sophisticated and costly. According to their findings, several additional nations have engaged services from Paragon, including Australia, Canada, and Israel, although no details have been disclosed about these countries’ relationships with the firm.
John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, emphasized the need for accountability regarding the deployment of spyware. In response, John Fleming, executive chair of Paragon US, asserted a commitment to maintaining adherence to rules against illicit targeting of journalists, albeit declining commentary on individual customers.
Hannah Neumann, a Member of the European Parliament, criticized the ongoing pattern of spyware abuse within Europe and emphasized the necessity of regulatory reform to protect victims of such violations. She urged the implementation of stricter European guidelines to prevent these abuses from continuing unchecked.
The alert raised by David Yambio regarding spyware intrusions while communicating with the ICC highlights significant concerns about digital surveillance targeting activists. The findings from the Citizen Lab underscore the potential intrusion of government agencies in international judicial processes. Furthermore, the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Italian government’s use of such spyware necessitates immediate attention to regulatory reforms to safeguard civil society members and uphold justice for victims of abuse.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
