David Yambio, an Italian activist, alerted the ICC about spyware that compromised his phone while he shared confidential information on Libya’s torture victims. A report from Citizen Lab confirmed the use of mercenary spyware during his communications. This incident raises significant concerns regarding government interference with international proceedings, particularly in light of ongoing critiques of Giorgia Meloni’s administration regarding the use of spyware against activists and journalists.
An activist in Italy, David Yambio, has alerted the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding surveillance of his mobile phone while he shared confidential information about torture victims in Libya. According to a recent report from the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, Yambio, founder of Refugees in Libya, was targeted by mercenary spyware during communications with the ICC around June 2024.
In a statement to the Guardian, Yambio urged ICC members to check their phones for spyware after confirming the attack. The ICC’s office of the prosecutor refrained from commenting on this incident due to ongoing investigations. This development raises concerns that a government agency with access to sophisticated spyware might be attempting to interfere in ICC proceedings by monitoring advocates of torture victims.
The situation is compounded by criticism directed at Giorgia Meloni’s government over the use of spyware, especially after some Italian activists and journalists reported warnings from WhatsApp regarding potential spyware attacks. Furthermore, Meloni’s administration has faced backlash after Italy’s release of Osama Najim, a Libyan citizen wanted by the ICC for war crimes, who leads a detention center notorious for human rights abuses.
The Citizen Lab report revealed that Yambio’s associates, including personal friends of Pope Francis, were also targets of the hacking software allegedly meant for terrorism investigations. Although researchers have yet to identify the exact spyware used against Yambio, they confirmed that Paragon Solutions, an Israeli surveillance company, created the software targeting other activists.
The Italian government has acknowledged working with Paragon but denied involvement in recent surveillance incidents against Yambio and others. Paragon has since halted its contract with Italy, citing violations of its policy prohibiting targeting journalists and civil society members. WhatsApp disclosed in January that 90 of its users, including activists and journalists, were targeted by government clients of Paragon, with its spyware capable of extensive data breaches including access to encrypted conversations.
Yambio’s phone was assessed by Cyber Hub-AM and Citizen Lab after Apple alerted him to a potential attack in November. Apple has confirmed that the methods used against Yambio were highly sophisticated and financially demanding, while also rolling out a fix for the security flaw exploited during the attack.
The Citizen Lab investigators found several other countries, including Australia, Canada, and Denmark, appeared to be clients of Paragon, though specific details were not disclosed. John Scott-Railton of the Citizen Lab questioned the governance of spyware deployment and its alignment with domestic laws.
John Fleming, executive chair of Paragon US, stated that they have a strict policy against the illicit targeting of journalists and civil society leaders while refraining from discussing individual clients. Lastly, European Parliament member Hannah Neumann expressed concern over the abusive patterns of spyware in Europe, urging for regulatory reforms to create accountability and protect victims.
This article highlights the troubling use of spyware against activists and the potential implications for international justice. David Yambio’s alarming experience raises critical concerns about state-sponsored surveillance and its interference with the ICC. The ongoing scrutiny of Giorgia Meloni’s government underscores the urgent need for stronger regulations to protect individuals advocating for human rights. Furthermore, the revelations regarding Paragon’s clientele and practices call for an urgent reassessment of accountability measures in the use of surveillance technology.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
