Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed concerns about her government’s discussions with private companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, regarding the country’s telecom security. During a press conference on Thursday, Meloni denied any private discussions with Musk, emphasizing that her decisions were based solely on national interest, not personal connections. She clarified that the government is still in the “investigative” phase of potential contracts, with no formal agreements made yet. The reported deal, valued at 1.5 billion euros, would involve the provision of encrypted communications for Italy’s military and emergency services, a matter that has sparked political controversy.
The proposed partnership has drawn strong opposition from Italy’s political rivals, who question the security implications of allowing a private company, particularly one associated with Musk, to handle sensitive government communications. Meloni explained that while the deal could offer high-level encryption and secure data handling, there is a lack of public alternatives for such advanced technology. She stressed that the government must ensure the protection of sensitive data, and if such communications were ever compromised, it would be the government’s responsibility.
Meloni defended the necessity of seeking such partnerships:
Despite criticisms regarding the involvement of a foreign private company, Meloni defended the necessity of seeking such partnerships, given the absence of suitable public sector options. She pointed out that while no contracts have been finalized, the government is exploring these discussions with various companies to secure the country’s communications infrastructure. Moreover, the use of technologies like those from SpaceX could provide Italy with advanced connectivity services, especially in cases of emergencies, disasters, or terrorist attacks.
In her remarks, Meloni also addressed the political undertones of the controversy, suggesting that Musk’s political affiliations might be fueling the backlash. She argued that concerns over Musk’s political views were misplaced, clarifying that his actions, such as not financing political parties to influence policies, did not pose a risk to democracy. The discussion also touched on the increasing pressure on European countries to partner with private firms like SpaceX, whose technological successes have heightened competition within the European satellite and telecom industries.
