Monday 9 November 2026 05:11
Italy foreign minister Tajani targeted by pro-Russian hackers
Tajani says personal data on him and his family was leaked on the dark web.Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani has said that hackers have published his personal data on the dark web and are seeking more information on him and his family, in what he describes as an attempt at intimidation linked to Italy’s support for Ukraine.
Tajani, who is also Italy's deputy prime minister, announced the leak in a post on X on Saturday. "For days now, cybercriminals have been publishing my personal data on the dark web and seeking further information," he wrote, adding that they were prepared to pay for details about his loved ones. "My response is very simple: I will not be intimidated in any way."Italian media reports say the pro-Russian group Noname057(16) has for at least two weeks been offering money for information on Tajani, as well as on Rome’s chief prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi and the head of the postal police, Ivano Gabrielli. Detailed profiles allegedly include CVs, private phone numbers, email and home addresses, prompting an investigation by security services.Tajani said Italy’s stance on Ukraine was “the political reason” he had been targeted. He also suggested the attacks may be a reaction to efforts to strengthen the foreign ministry’s cyber defences, including a new cyber directorate set up at the Farnesina on 1 January. He told a press conference at the ministry that the threat appeared to be ongoing, and said: “We will not bow our heads.”Prime minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “full solidarity” and called attempts to sell confidential information on officials “a matter of grave concern”. Defence minister Guido Crosetto said the case showed how threats to the country’s security had changed.
On Sunday, Tajani responded to the hackers with humour. Posting a photo of a new puppy on social media, he wrote: “I want to give some information to the pro-Russian hackers spying on my life... From today there’s a new guardian in the Tajani household: dear Argo, welcome to the family!”
Voglio dare io un’informazione agli hacker filo russi che spiano la mia vita. Da oggi in casa Tajani c’è un nuovo guardiano: caro Argo, benvenuto in famiglia! https://t.co/NzKowwPIa4
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) November 8, 2026
The case follows a week of cyber incidents and security scares across the continent. In the early hours of 2 November, supermarket refrigeration systems were hit in several European countries, including Italy, with temperatures reportedly altered remotely by up to 50°C in some cases. Tonnes of food were thrown away. Supermarkets in Sicily were affected, prompting an urgent meeting at Palazzo Chigi with undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano. The European Union warned of a deliberate attempt to disrupt the food supply chain.Noname057(16) and a second pro-Russian group, Z-Pentest, claimed responsibility in a video posted on social media. The incidents echo an October attack on hundreds of French supermarkets.Between 3 and 6 November, Eurocontrol recorded 35 hoax bomb alerts on European flights. Several European intelligence services consider Russia the most likely culprit, citing motive, method, precedent and early forensic evidence, and see the threats as part of a growing hybrid warfare campaign in Europe this year.
Photo credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com
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Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani has said that hackers have published his personal data on the dark web and are seeking more information on him and his family, in what he describes as an attempt at intimidation linked to Italy’s support for Ukraine.
Tajani, who is also Italy's deputy prime minister, announced the leak in a post on X on Saturday. "For days now, cybercriminals have been publishing my personal data on the dark web and seeking further information," he wrote, adding that they were prepared to pay for details about his loved ones. "My response is very simple: I will not be intimidated in any way."
Italian media reports say the pro-Russian group Noname057(16) has for at least two weeks been offering money for information on Tajani, as well as on Rome’s chief prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi and the head of the postal police, Ivano Gabrielli. Detailed profiles allegedly include CVs, private phone numbers, email and home addresses, prompting an investigation by security services.
Tajani said Italy’s stance on Ukraine was “the political reason” he had been targeted. He also suggested the attacks may be a reaction to efforts to strengthen the foreign ministry’s cyber defences, including a new cyber directorate set up at the Farnesina on 1 January. He told a press conference at the ministry that the threat appeared to be ongoing, and said: “We will not bow our heads.”
Prime minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “full solidarity” and called attempts to sell confidential information on officials “a matter of grave concern”. Defence minister Guido Crosetto said the case showed how threats to the country’s security had changed.
Italian media reports say the pro-Russian group Noname057(16) has for at least two weeks been offering money for information on Tajani, as well as on Rome’s chief prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi and the head of the postal police, Ivano Gabrielli. Detailed profiles allegedly include CVs, private phone numbers, email and home addresses, prompting an investigation by security services.
Tajani said Italy’s stance on Ukraine was “the political reason” he had been targeted. He also suggested the attacks may be a reaction to efforts to strengthen the foreign ministry’s cyber defences, including a new cyber directorate set up at the Farnesina on 1 January. He told a press conference at the ministry that the threat appeared to be ongoing, and said: “We will not bow our heads.”
Prime minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “full solidarity” and called attempts to sell confidential information on officials “a matter of grave concern”. Defence minister Guido Crosetto said the case showed how threats to the country’s security had changed.
On Sunday, Tajani responded to the hackers with humour. Posting a photo of a new puppy on social media, he wrote: “I want to give some information to the pro-Russian hackers spying on my life... From today there’s a new guardian in the Tajani household: dear Argo, welcome to the family!”
Voglio dare io un’informazione agli hacker filo russi che spiano la mia vita. Da oggi in casa Tajani c’è un nuovo guardiano: caro Argo, benvenuto in famiglia! https://t.co/NzKowwPIa4
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani)
November 8, 2026
The case follows a week of cyber incidents and security scares across the continent. In the early hours of 2 November, supermarket refrigeration systems were hit in several European countries, including Italy, with temperatures reportedly altered remotely by up to 50°C in some cases. Tonnes of food were thrown away. Supermarkets in Sicily were affected, prompting an urgent meeting at Palazzo Chigi with undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano. The European Union warned of a deliberate attempt to disrupt the food supply chain.
Noname057(16) and a second pro-Russian group, Z-Pentest, claimed responsibility in a video posted on social media. The incidents echo an October attack on hundreds of French supermarkets.
Between 3 and 6 November, Eurocontrol recorded 35 hoax bomb alerts on European flights. Several European intelligence services consider Russia the most likely culprit, citing motive, method, precedent and early forensic evidence, and see the threats as part of a growing hybrid warfare campaign in Europe this year.
Photo credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.comNoname057(16) and a second pro-Russian group, Z-Pentest, claimed responsibility in a video posted on social media. The incidents echo an October attack on hundreds of French supermarkets.
Between 3 and 6 November, Eurocontrol recorded 35 hoax bomb alerts on European flights. Several European intelligence services consider Russia the most likely culprit, citing motive, method, precedent and early forensic evidence, and see the threats as part of a growing hybrid warfare campaign in Europe this year.
