Tajani Says Personal Data Circulated on Dark Web

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his personal data had been circulating on the dark web for days and that people were seeking further information about him and his family. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed pro-Russian hackers, but Tajani did not identify those responsible.

Tajani said in a social media post on Saturday that the activity exposed him and his family to threats and intimidation. He said those seeking further details were willing to pay for them, but did not specify what information had been published or sought. He described the threat as ongoing.

Meloni expressed solidarity with Tajani and said attempts to sell confidential information about government officials were a grave concern. Her attribution of the leak to pro-Russian hackers has not been accompanied in the reports by an independent finding identifying the perpetrators. Russia had not commented on the incident, according to one report, and has consistently denied involvement in cyberattacks abroad.

Tajani linked the targeting to Italy’s support for Ukraine, saying that defending the freedom and independence of a sovereign state had made him a target. He also suggested the activity could be a...