Italian businessmans phone reportedly targeted with Paragon spyware

Published: Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 5:25 pm

Italian Businessman Targeted with Paragon Spyware

Rome, Italy - A prominent Italian businessman, Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, is reportedly the latest individual targeted with spyware developed by Paragon Solutions. According to reports from IrpiMedia and La Stampa, Caltagirone received a notification from WhatsApp in January, alerting him to the potential targeting.

Caltagirone's holding company, Caltagirone SpA, owns a diverse portfolio of businesses spanning construction, real estate, finance, and publishing, including the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. The reason behind the targeting of Caltagirone remains unclear, and a spokesperson for his holding company has not yet commented.

This development expands the scope of the ongoing Paragon spyware scandal in Italy. Previously, the spyware had been linked to the targeting of journalists, including Francesco Cancellato and Ciro Pellegrino, and immigration activists Luca Casarini and Giuseppe Caccia.

Following reports of the spyware's use, Paragon severed ties with the Italian government, which had been a customer of the company. Paragon, an Israeli-based company that claims to be an ethical spyware maker, was acquired by U.S. private equity firm AE Industrial in December 2024. As part of the acquisition, Paragon was reportedly slated to merge with cybersecurity firm REDLattice. When contacted for comment, Paragon referred inquiries to REDLattice. Both Paragon and WhatsApp have not yet responded to requests for comment.

BNN's Perspective: The alleged targeting of a businessman, alongside journalists and activists, raises serious concerns about the potential misuse of surveillance technology. While the details are still emerging, this case underscores the importance of robust oversight and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of spyware. The involvement of both government agencies and private entities further complicates the situation, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the use of such powerful tools.

Keywords: Paragon spyware, Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, Italy, WhatsApp, IrpiMedia, La Stampa, Caltagirone SpA, spyware scandal, journalists, activists, AE Industrial, REDLattice

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