Mounting Pressure on the Government
Italian lawmakers from multiple parties have launched a formal appeal to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, demanding a full investigation into recent revelations that state-linked spyware may have been used to surveil citizens without judicial oversight. The call for transparency comes amid growing public concern over surveillance abuse and erosion of privacy rights in Italy.
🧪 Spyware Allegedly Deployed Against Journalists and Critics
Targets Raise Alarm Over Democratic Values
The spyware scandal reportedly involves advanced tools similar to the NSO Group's Pegasus software, capable of infiltrating smartphones and extracting vast amounts of data. While official names and tools have not been disclosed, evidence suggests that journalists, human rights activists, and political opponents may have been targeted. Italian media outlets have published alarming reports hinting at deep state overreach.
⚖️ Opposition Demands Parliamentary Inquiry
Transparency and Legal Oversight at Stake
Members of opposition parties have formally requested a parliamentary commission to investigate how and why spyware was deployed. Senator Emma Bonino called the situation “a direct threat to our democratic institutions,” stressing the need to identify who authorized the surveillance and under what legal framework. Some lawmakers argue that any illegal surveillance activities must lead to criminal accountability.
🌐 Italy Joins Growing List of EU Spyware Controversies
EU-Wide Trend Sparks Concern
Italy now finds itself following similar controversies in Greece, Hungary, and Spain, where governments were found to have used or tolerated spyware against political and civilian targets. The European Parliament has already launched a broader probe into the misuse of surveillance technologies across member states and may issue further recommendations on digital rights and regulatory reforms.
🛡️ Watchdogs and Civil Society Speak Out
Urgent Need for Regulation and Public Safeguards
Privacy advocates and digital rights groups such as Privacy International and Amnesty Tech have called on Italy to enact stricter surveillance regulations. They argue that without transparent legal safeguards, such spyware represents a grave risk to freedom of speech and press in democratic societies.
📆 What’s Next?
Government Response Awaited in Parliament
The Italian government is expected to respond to formal inquiries in the coming weeks. A possible special parliamentary session could take place by mid-July 2025. With pressure mounting and international attention growing, how the Meloni administration handles this crisis may significantly shape the country's tech-policy and human rights stance going forward.