Italy’s foreign minister says hackers leaked his data on dark web

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says hackers have published his personal data on the dark web and are seeking information about his family, exposing them to threats and intimidation. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed pro-Russian hackers for the leak, while Tajani said he was targeted because of Italy’s support for Ukraine.

“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,” Tajani wrote on X on Saturday. “They are also targeting my family; they are willing to pay for more details about me and my loved ones.”

Tajani, who is also Italy’s deputy prime minister, did not say what information had been published or describe the threats in detail. He said the activity was continuing and that the government was taking it seriously. The Foreign Ministry was coordinating its response with allied countries, Al Jazeera reported.

“Our position on Ukraine is the political reason I have been targeted,” Tajani said. “Defending the freedom of a sovereign state, taking a clear stand in support of a nation’s democracy and independence, is dangerous in the eyes of these criminal entities.” Italy has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and military support during its war against Russia.

Tajani also suggested the threats could be a response to the Italian government’s efforts to strengthen the Foreign Ministry’s digital defences, according to Al Jazeera. “My response is very simple: I will not be intimidated in any way,” he wrote.

Meloni offered Tajani her “full solidarity” after what she described as revelations about pro-Russian hackers and the publication of his data. “The sale of confidential information about institutional representatives is a cause of serious concern and must be tackled with the utmost determination,” she said in a statement.

Moscow has not publicly responded to the allegations, the BBC reported. Meloni also raised concern about the “circulation of false images” that she said members of Italy’s opposition had shared, according to the BBC. She gave no details about what the images showed.

The dark web is a part of the internet that does not appear in common search-engine results and requires specialist software to access. Tajani said the hackers were using it to publish his information and seek more details about him and his family.