WASHINGTON, April 1 - Messaging platform WhatsApp revealed that an Italian surveillance firm tricked around 200 users into downloading fake app versions designed to spy on them.
The campaign, executed by ASIGINT-a subsidiary of SIO based in northern Italy-used deception to install malicious software masquerading as WhatsApp. Most victims were located in Italy.
SIO markets itself as provider of "high-performance, field-proven cyber intelligence solutions," and claims partnerships with law enforcement and government agencies.
This marks the second time in 15 months that Meta has confronted spyware operations linked to Italy, following a major scandal involving U.S.-based Paragon in early 2025.