In brief
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on Saturday that cybercriminals had leaked his personal information on the dark web, putting him and his family at risk. Tajani blamed Italy’s support for Ukraine for the targeting and vowed not to be intimidated. The minister also highlighted new cybersecurity measures at the foreign ministry.
On Saturday, 7 November 2026, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his personal data had been posted on the dark web, exposing him and his family to new threats, according to Anadolu Agency.
Anadolu reported that cybercriminals linked to hostile state actors had circulated his information for days and had been seeking additional details for a price.
In a post on the U.S. social‑media platform X, Tajani wrote that “my reaction is very simple: I will not be intimidated in any way.”
He said the targeting was a response to Italy’s support for Ukraine, noting that defending the country’s sovereignty "is dangerous in the eyes of these criminal entities."
Both Anadolu and Ground News reported that Tajani linked the breach to Italy’s pro‑Ukraine stance and vowed not to be intimidated.
According to Anadolu, the foreign ministry has recently created a dedicated cybersecurity directorate effective 1 January to counter intrusions often linked to hostile state actors. Tajani said the ministry is now operational and connected to allied partners.
Ground News also covered the incident but did not mention the link to hostile state actors.
