MILAN, Italy — Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani says cybercriminals have published his personal information on the dark web and are seeking additional details about him and his family, raising concerns about threats and intimidation against senior government officials.
Tajani disclosed the incident on Saturday, November 7, 2026, through a social media statement. He said the criminals had been circulating his personal data for several days and were attempting to obtain more information about his relatives.
According to the minister, the individuals involved were prepared to pay for additional details about him and his loved ones, exposing his family to potential threats.
Tajani did not reveal the specific information that had been published or identify those responsible. However, his statement suggested that the activity was continuing.
He said he would not be intimidated and would continue working to protect Italy and its Foreign Ministry while strengthening cooperation with international partners against cyber threats.
Tajani Links Threats to Italy’s Position on Ukraine
The foreign minister indicated that Italy’s support for Ukraine could be connected to why he had become a target.
Tajani has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. In his statement, he described defending a sovereign country’s freedom and democratic independence as central to his position.
He also suggested that the cybercriminal activity could be connected to efforts by hostile actors to respond to Italy’s measures aimed at strengthening cybersecurity within its diplomatic institutions.
However, he did not provide evidence identifying a particular country, organization or individual behind the publication of his personal information.
Italy Strengthens Cybersecurity Measures
The incident comes amid growing cybersecurity concerns across Europe, including attacks targeting government institutions and other critical infrastructure.
In October, Italy’s Foreign Ministry reported that its website had faced a cyberattack that security systems successfully mitigated without disrupting services.
The pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16) claimed responsibility for that separate incident, which involved a distributed denial-of-service attack designed to overwhelm the website with false access requests.
Italian authorities monitored the situation and examined whether diplomatic and consular websites abroad had experienced similar attempts.
European Cooperation Against Cyber Threats
Tajani said Italy would strengthen cooperation with its allies to improve protection against cybercriminal activities.
The incident highlights the growing risks associated with publishing private information online, a practice commonly known as doxxing. Such disclosures can expose individuals and their families to harassment, threats and other forms of intimidation.
Although the identities of those responsible remain unclear, the Italian government faces the challenge of protecting public officials and sensitive personal information as cyber threats continue to evolve.
Swifteadio.com
