On November 7, 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed pro-Russian hackers for disseminating personal data belonging to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the dark web. Tajani stated that criminals posted his details and sought more information about his family due to Italy's explicit support for Ukraine's sovereignty and recent efforts to bolster ministry cybersecurity. The leak targets Tajani alongside 17 other figures listed as hostile to Russia, amid a wider wave of hybrid European disruptions.
Details of the dark web leak
- ▪Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on November 7, 2026, that cybercriminals had published his personal data on the dark web, with officials saying hackers were attempting to buy additional details about him and his family
- ▪Italian cybersecurity authorities discovered Antonio Tajani's details on a dark web page accessible via the Tor network, where Antonio Tajani was listed among 18 citizens hostile to the Russian Federation
- ▪Dark web listings monitored by Italian officials included requests for personal information on other Italian figures deemed hostile to Russia, including a prosecutor, a police official, a mayor, and cybersecurity experts
Reactions and explanations from Italian leaders
- ▪Antonio Tajani stated that pro-Russian cybercriminals targeted him because of the Italian government's transparent political support for the freedom, democracy, and sovereignty of Ukraine
- ▪Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attributed the leak of Antonio Tajani's personal data to pro-Russian hackers, calling the offering of government officials' confidential data for sale a matter of grave concern
Wider context of pro-Russian cyberattacks
- ▪The cyberattack on Antonio Tajani that leaked his data on the dark web occurred alongside broader hybrid disruptions across Europe, including hoax bomb threats causing flight diversions, broadcaster security alerts, and attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems
- ▪Italian law enforcement and government officials reported a rise in cyberattacks by groups sympathetic to Russia, targeting various European entities including funeral homes and supermarket freezers
Story comments
Loading comments…