Eliminalia, a company specializing in online reputation management, employs various tactics to push or destroy content, including removal requests to publishers and Google, and the creation and dissemination of fake news to bury legitimate articles in search results. The company has been linked to hundreds of DMCA removal requests and over three thousand fake articles across 600 websites. An update on March 27, 2023, revealed that Google had deindexed an IRPI Media article from certain search results under European data protection laws, specifically affecting searches related to Enea Trevisan, a key figure in the expansion of Eliminalia in Switzerland and Italy. After IRPI Media's inquiry, Google reversed the deindexing, and the article reappeared in search results. Enea Trevisan declined to comment, and Google did not respond to IRPI Media's questions.

The European Parliament is considering strict regulations or a complete ban on dual-use goods, which include surveillance technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. These technologies, developed by defense and intelligence companies, can be employed in the fight against terrorism and crime, but also as tools of internal repression against journalists and activists. Recent attempts to regulate the sector have been challenging, with the latest update to the export regulation in September 2021 aiming to strengthen controls and require member states to be more transparent about export licenses. The article investigates the role of companies and intermediaries in the surveillance industry, highlighting cases of abuse against journalists and activists worldwide. It also discusses the economic consequences of scandals for companies like Hacking Team and FinFisher, which faced insolvency or acquisition. The article explores the complex network of intermediaries that evade regulations and the difficulties in tracking technology exports, emphasizing the need for clearer guidelines and independent oversight.

The Parisi brothers, Francesco, Giuseppe, and Pietro, sons of Antonio Parisi, have been implicated in drug trafficking activities, with ties to the 'Ndrangheta. They have expanded their operations from Calabria to Bologna and Sardegna, importing cocaine through Belgium and making direct deals with Colombian FARC guerrillas. The Parisi family has a history of drug trafficking, with Pietro Parisi being notable for his repeated arrests and continued involvement in the drug trade despite legal interventions. Investigations between 2015 and 2019 revealed the involvement of Riitano and Palamara, linked to different 'Ndrangheta clans, in supplying cocaine throughout Europe and Calabria. Riitano was eventually captured due to a slip-up involving his children, while Palamara remains at large.

An anonymous cybercriminal is attempting to sell a list containing the personal data of over 7 million vaccinated individuals in Italy for $5,000 in cryptocurrencies. The data, confirmed by Italian Tech, appears to be aggregated from multiple sources and includes names, surnames, and other personal details. The origin of the stolen data is unclear as the hacker has not disclosed the technical vulnerabilities exploited. Samples of the data were linked to the National Order of Psychologists, which denied any breach of their systems. The hacker mentioned the possibility of already having two potential buyers and intends to conduct the sale through an intermediary using an undisclosed cryptocurrency. The Italian Postal Police are investigating the legitimacy of the data breach. The hacker also commented on the potential benefits of a bug bounty program in Italy, suggesting it could reduce the frequency and severity of such incidents.

An anonymous profile on a data trading forum announced the sale of a database containing the vaccination information of 7,395,688 Italians. The database's size could not be verified without purchase, but three sample files were made public, containing data mostly related to members of the National Order of Psychologists from various Italian regions. The data includes names, email addresses, tax codes, vaccination status, and professional registration numbers. Some victims, contacted by Italian Tech, confirmed their registration with the Order of Psychologists and expressed dismay at the data leak. The National Order of Psychologists has not immediately responded to a request for comment. The hacker claims to have extracted the data over the past month, with over 7 million user records, including 6.5 million unique email addresses and 5.3 million passwords, mostly encrypted. The seller stated that the entire archive would only be sold twice to maintain its value.

Several airlines have been targeted by a sophisticated cyber attack, with personal data of travelers being stolen. The American company Sita, which manages infrastructure for numerous airlines and provides boarding and loyalty program services, confirmed the attack affected loyalty programs, including those of Star Alliance and One World members. Sita has not disclosed the exact nature of the data involved but has shared information with the airlines, which are contacting their members. Lufthansa's Miles and More program advised changing passwords, while Singapore Airlines confirmed that data of at least 580,000 KrisFlyer members were involved. Sita had access to some information shared by airlines not directly connected to it, as they were part of the same loyalty programs.

The Italian government's bike bonus initiative, aimed at financing the purchase of bicycles and electric scooters, faced severe technical issues on its 'click day' due to server overload and digital identity system (Spid) failures. The public administration's servers, managed by Sogei, struggled with the high volume of simultaneous requests, leading to long digital queues and access issues. Misinformation about the correct website further complicated the process, and even the correct digital identity providers, including Poste Italiane, InfoCert, and Sielte, experienced service disruptions. InfoCert later clarified that existing clients faced no issues, but there was a temporary overload for new client activations.

Apple and Google have radically changed the landscape for governments, health authorities, and technicians working on apps to collect information for coronavirus contact tracing with their project to build a system for smartphones to communicate via Bluetooth. The first APIs will be available by mid-May, with a first version to be presented on April 28. The technology involves exchanging pseudonyms via Bluetooth that change every 10-20 minutes, with a notification system to alert users if they have been in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. The companies have improved privacy with strong encryption and random keys, and the system will later be integrated directly into operating systems. Political tensions arise as some countries want more access to the technology, while in Italy, there is scrutiny over the app's development and data protection.

North Korea has increased its activities to evade international sanctions through cyber operations, including cyberattacks and fake cryptocurrency trading software. The UN report by the UNSC 1718 Committee details these activities and potential violations of international provisions. North Korean hacker groups Lazarus and Kimsuky have targeted financial institutions, cryptocurrency services, and UN officials. The report also mentions a fake company, Celas Limited, used to distribute malware. Despite North Korea's reliance on Russian technicians for telecommunications and its isolated context, its cyber operatives have been able to travel and gain skills, contributing to the country's economy. The report also references a cryptocurrency conference in Pyongyang, which raised concerns about the transfer of blockchain knowledge for sanction evasion.

Over a century has passed since the first scout group was established in Palestine. The Palestinian scouts, including the Scout Commission in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, have been actively involved in addressing the devastating effects of the Syrian civil war. In 2012, the World Organization of the Scout Movement honored the Palestinian scouts for their century of service. Despite their observer status, similar to Palestine's status in the United Nations, the scouts have continued their work, providing assistance, medical care, and support to displaced families. The Yarmouk camp, initially a refuge for Palestinians, was drawn into the conflict, leading to its inhabitants fleeing, with some seeking asylum in Europe. The Palestinian scouts have been reorganizing in Syria to meet basic needs and create support structures for civilians, with some funding from the scout headquarters in Ramallah. However, there is a notable absence of support from the Palestinian Authority and the international community. Sharif Rifai, a leading Palestinian scout in Syria, appeals to Italian scouts and institutions to support the recognition of the Palestinian society as a nation and to continue rescuing immigrants risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean.

On the eve of the 67th anniversary of the Nakba, a procession of refugees, citizens, and activists marched through Bethlehem. The demonstration, which included many women and children wearing Nakba 2015 t-shirts and holding Palestinian flags, was organized by Badil, an association that defends the rights of Palestinian refugees. Clashes occurred between the youth from refugee camps and the Israeli military.