Italian foreign minister says hackers leaked his personal data amid Ukraine support row

Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, says cyber-criminals have published his personal data online and also targeted his family. He said the material had been circulating on the dark web for days, exposing him to what he described as new threats and intimidation. Tajani linked the incident to Italy's support for Ukraine, saying that position was the political reason he had been singled out.

In a post on X, Tajani said the hackers had been seeking further information about him. He did not specify the exact nature of the threats, but said the campaign was continuing. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by common search engines and typically requires specialist software to access.

Tajani also said his family had been targeted. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni blamed the incident on pro-Russian hackers and offered Tajani her full solidarity. In a statement, she said the sale of confidential information about institutional representatives was a matter of serious concern and had to be tackled with the utmost determination.

Meloni also raised concern about the circulation of false images, which she said had been shared by members of Italy's opposition, although she did not provide details. The case comes against the backdrop of Italy's military and humanitarian support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Tajani, who is also deputy prime minister, said the government was taking the threats seriously.

The allegation adds a geopolitical dimension to what is otherwise a personal data leak, because it involves a senior member of a G7 government and a public line on the war in Ukraine. No public response from Moscow was mentioned in the available material. The incident also highlights the growing use of cyber activity as a tool of pressure against public officials.

Publishing personal data can increase the risk of harassment, surveillance or other forms of intimidation, even when no physical attack is reported. In this case, the government's response suggests it views the leak as part of a wider hostile campaign rather than an isolated breach. It remains unclear how the data was obtained, what specific information was exposed, and whether any arrests or technical investigations have been announced.

The available material does not say how widely the information was shared or whether other officials were affected. What happens next will depend on any formal inquiry, any further disclosures, and whether the alleged campaign expands beyond Tajani and his family.

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