Report: China hackers breach sensitive data of Italian investigators

Computer hackers believed to be operating from China have gained access to sensitive data belonging to some 5,000 investigators from Italy’s security service, the newspaper La Repubblica reported on Wednesday.

The article said the hackers penetrated the encrypted network of the Italian Ministry of the Interior. The ministry has so far made no official comment.

According to the newspaper, the hackers obtained a list with the names, functions and locations of officials from the General Investigations and Special Operations Division (DIGOS).

The responsibilities of the state security service unit include combating terrorism and acts of political violence.

The revelation comes at an unfavourable time for the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

After she took office, Rome and Beijing agreed to work more closely together in areas such as cybercrime, drug trafficking and organized crime.