Italian foreign minister’s personal data leaked by pro-Russian hackers

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reported that cybercriminals have been publishing his personal data on the dark web for several days, according to BBC World. Tajani said the hackers are also targeting his family and seeking additional information, increasing threats and intimidation against him and his loved ones.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attributed the leak to pro-Russian hackers and expressed full solidarity with Tajani, as reported by Al Jazeera English. Meloni called the sale of confidential information about government officials a serious concern that must be addressed firmly.

Tajani linked the cyberattack to Italy’s political stance supporting Ukraine, stating that defending a sovereign state’s democracy and independence is seen as dangerous by these criminal entities. He also suggested the threats might be a reaction to efforts to strengthen the Foreign Ministry’s digital security.

The Italian government has provided humanitarian and military support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, which Tajani indicated as the reason for being targeted. He emphasized he will not be intimidated by these actions.

The cyberthreat remains ongoing, with Tajani not specifying the exact nature of the leaked information but highlighting the continuous attempts to gather more data about him and his family.