Paragon spyware activity found on more journalists’ devices therecord.media/paragon-g…

Two more European journalists’ mobile devices are confirmed to have been targeted — one successfully — with Paragon spyware, the latest development in a broadening scandal involving the use of the company’s powerful surveillance technology to snoop on members of civil society on the continent.

Digital forensics research institute the Citizen Lab reported Thursday morning that the journalists were part of a larger group notified in late April by Apple about possible “mercenary spyware” attacks. The researchers document what is believed to be the first known infection of an Apple device with Graphite, a Paragon product.

The latest targets are a “prominent” European journalist who wishes to stay anonymous and Ciro Pellegrino, a colleague of a previously identified Paragon spyware target, Francesco Cancellato, the Citizen Lab said.

Both Pellegrino and Cancellato work at the Italian news outlet Fanpage, which published an investigation documenting ties between Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and young fascists last June.

A spokesperson for Israel-based Paragon responded to a request for comment by pointing to a previous statement revealing that it has ended its contract with Italy. Citizen Lab says it made Paragon aware of its findings Tuesday.

Spokespersons for the Italian Parliament and the prime minister’s office did not respond to requests for comment.