ABRAnews Open the whole story. Sign in
World

Meloni blames pro-Russian hackers for leak of Italian foreign minister's data

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says cybercriminals published his data and ties it to Italy's Ukraine stance, but does not say who is behind it.

8 news outlets reported this
Liberal3 outletsTajani's account of threats and Meloni's pro-Russian accusationCenter4 outletsTajani's Ukraine stance and Meloni's pro-Russian hackers claimConservative1 outletMeloni's accusation and Tajani's cyber defence record
ABRAnews EditorialPublished 1 min read
Overview

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday that his personal data has been published on the dark web. In a post on X, he said cybercriminals had been doing this for days and were seeking more information. He said they were prepared to pay for details on him and his loved ones, and that the leak exposed him and his family to threats and intimidation.

Tajani, who is also deputy prime minister, said Italy's position on Ukraine is the political reason he was targeted. He did not say who was responsible and did not specify what information was shared. In a separate statement, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed pro-Russian hackers and expressed full solidarity with him.

She called the sale of confidential information about officials a cause of serious concern that must be tackled with the utmost determination. Tajani said he will not be intimidated and will keep strengthening cooperation with allies. The case comes amid hoax bomb threats across Europe that forced flight diversions, and attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems.

The BBC reports that Moscow has not publicly responded.

Three sides of the story

3Liberal4Center1Conservative

8 news outlets reported this

Tap a color or swipe sideways to switch sides.

Liberal3 outlets

Tajani's account of threats and Meloni's pro-Russian accusation

CBS News leads with Meloni, saying Italy's prime minister blamed pro-Russian hackers, while noting that Tajani blamed "cybercriminals" and did not specify who was behind it. It quotes Tajani: "Our position on Ukraine is the political reason I have been targeted." Al Jazeera English opens on Tajani's data being spread on the dark web and Meloni's accusation.

It places the case amid hoax bomb threats, flight diversions and attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, and adds that Tajani suggested the threats may also respond to efforts to strengthen the ministry's digital defences. ABC News headlines Meloni's blame and describes Tajani's post as following hoax bomb threats, attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems and drone incursions. It notes he did not specify what information was shared or who is responsible, but suggested the threat was ongoing.

CBS News quotes Meloni calling the sale of confidential information "a cause of serious concern," while Al Jazeera and ABC quote "a matter of grave concern."

Center4 outlets

Tajani's Ukraine stance and Meloni's pro-Russian hackers claim

BBC News headlines Tajani's account that hackers leaked his data, quoting him that his Ukraine position is "the political reason I have been targeted." It says he did not specify the nature of the threats, that Moscow has not publicly responded, and that Meloni also voiced concern about false images she said were shared by opposition members. Deutsche Welle headlines Meloni's blame and says she was "unambiguous" that pro-Russian hackers were behind the breach.

It places the case among what it calls suspected "hybrid attacks" thought to be orchestrated by the Kremlin, including drone incursions, sabotage, threats against media outlets and bomb threats that disrupted flights. DW also notes that Italy, like other EU and NATO states, has supported Ukraine, and that Tajani did not say what information was shared.

Conservative1 outlet

Meloni's accusation and Tajani's cyber defence record

The Washington Examiner leads with Meloni, who it says attributed the cyberattack to pro-Russian hackers "purportedly" motivated by Italy's support for Ukraine. It notes that, unlike Meloni, Tajani did not say who he believed the culprits were, and that it is unclear what the information entails. It quotes Tajani: "I will not be intimidated in any way."

The outlet adds Meloni's concern about false images shared by members of the opposition and her warning that "Freedom of expression must never become a breeding ground for disinformation." It also describes recent cyberattacks across Europe, including hoax bomb threats and refrigeration tampering at supermarkets. It ends on Tajani's steps as foreign minister against foreign cyberactors, including a cyber directorate he established on Jan. 1, and his statement that the hackers were reacting to Italy's countermeasures.

What a side did not mention
  • Liberal outlets did not mentionMeloni also voiced concern about false images shared by members of Italy's opposition Reported by BBC News, Washington Examiner
All sources: 9 articles from 8 outlets

Liberal (3)

Center (5)

Conservative (1)