Threat watch / Breach
Italy: Foreign Minister Tajani's personal data spread on the dark web
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on November 7, 2026 that "for days" cybercriminals had been spreading his personal data on the dark web and seeking more information about him and his family, which they were willing to pay for. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni linked it to the activities of pro-Russian hackers. Neither has said what data was published, how it was obtained or which group is behind it.
- Sector
- Government & politics
- Way in
- Not public yet
- Product or vendor
- None named
- How it happened
- Not public yet Checked 10 Nov 2026
- What was stolen
- Personal data of Antonio Tajani, published on the dark web. He has not said what kind of information was shared. According to The Record, the data posted on the targets includes phone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts and, in some cases, home addresses. The criminals also offered cryptocurrency for more details on the targets and their relatives.[1][2][3][4] Checked 10 Nov 2026
- Who was impacted
- The foreign minister himself, with his family named as a target. Screenshots seen by Reuters show his picture in a list of 18 "citizens hostile to the Russian Federation", which also included cybersecurity experts. The Record names others on the list: Eurojust President Michael Schmid, Europol cybercrime centre head Edvardas Sileris, German BKA President Holger Münch, Rome prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, Italian Postal Police chief Ivano Gabrielli, the mayor of Aviano and three German journalists.[1][2][3][4] Checked 10 Nov 2026
- Threat actor
- Not attributed. Pro-Russian hackers, according to Tajani and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Cybersecurity researchers cited by The Record link the campaign to NoName057(16); Russia denies involvement. Tajani says he did not accuse the Russian government.
Timeline
- Tajani says on X: "For days, cybercriminals have been spreading my personal data on the dark web and seeking other information." He adds: "I will not allow myself to be intimidated in any way" and links the targeting to Italy's support for Ukraine. [1][2][3]
- Meloni expresses solidarity "following the revelations about the activities of pro-Russian hackers" and calls the sale of confidential information on officials "a matter of grave concern". [1][3]
- A person close to the minister tells Reuters the material was found on the Tor dark web during monitoring by cybersecurity authorities, and that further investigations are under way. [2]
- The Record reports that the list targets 18 people, links the campaign to NoName057(16) according to cybersecurity researchers, and says it appears to be retaliation for a July 2025 Europol and Eurojust operation against the group. Italian prosecutors are investigating. Tajani: "I did not say that the Russian government is responsible." [4]