Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed pro-Russian hackers for leaking Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s personal data on the dark web Saturday.
Meloni expressed full solidarity with the foreign minister over the dissemination of his personal data, saying the sale of private information about public officials was alarming and required a strong response.
The sale of confidential information about institutional representatives is a cause of serious concern and must be tackled with the utmost determination,
Tajani said cyber-criminals had circulated his data for days, seeking more details about him and his family and offering to pay for them.
For days now, cyber-criminals have been publishing my personal data on the dark web and seeking further information, effectively exposing me to new threats and intimidation,
The minister linked the attack directly to Italy's support for Ukraine. He said his public backing for a sovereign country's freedom and independence had put him in the hackers' sights.
Our position on Ukraine is the political reason I have been targeted,
Among Western leaders, Meloni has been one of Ukraine's strongest backers. The Italian government has supported Ukraine with humanitarian aid and military assistance in its war against Russia.
Reuters examined screenshots showing Tajani's photograph on a list of 18 people labelled citizens hostile to the Russian Federation. Cybersecurity specialists were also reportedly listed. Tajani said his family had been targeted too and that the perpetrators continued to seek more information.
I will not be intimidated in any way,
Tajani said the hackers were reacting to the ministry’s work to improve its cyber defenses, and that he would continue protecting his ministry and Italy.
I will continue working to defend my ministry and Italy, and I will keep strengthening ties and cooperation with our allies so that we can protect ourselves together,
The targets also included Francesco Lo Voi, Rome's chief prosecutor, and Ivano Gabrielli, head of Italy's cyber police. Prosecutors in Rome are investigating the incident.
Meloni and Tajani did not identify a specific group. The Italian paper Il Fatto Quotidiano said NoName057(16), a pro-Russian hacking group, published the data. The group uses traffic floods to disable websites. Dutch police seized 800 servers linked to it in May.
Moscow has made no public comment on the claims. Russia has consistently rejected accusations that it carries out cyberattacks or hacking operations against other countries.
Key Context
Timeline of Events
- Recent daysData spread
Hackers began spreading Tajani's personal data on the dark web.
- SaturdayInvestigation
Rome prosecutors launched an investigation into the leak.
- MondayG7 Meeting
Foreign ministers meet in Paris to discuss hybrid attacks.
Attribution and Response
Attribution vs Denial
Media Reports
Il Fatto Quotidiano
- Identified NoName057(16) as the source
- Group known for DDoS attacks
- 800 servers seized in May
Kremlin Stance
Official Response
- No public response to allegations
- Repeatedly denies involvement in cyberattacks
- Silence on specific claims
Tajani wants hybrid attacks discussed at Monday's G7 meeting in Paris. He urged members to consider how they could improve cooperation against these threats.
What we know
- Meloni blamed pro-Russian hackers for the leak.
- Tajani linked the attack to Italy's support for Ukraine.
- Rome prosecutors are investigating.
Still unclear
- The exact nature of the threats against Tajani.
- The content of false images shared by opposition members.
- Confirmation that NoName057(16) was behind the leak.
