Research

Interceptions down, 40% reduction in ten years

This is what emerges from the Eurispes research 'Interceptions - Knowing to Improve', which analyses the use of wiretapping tools by the Italian Judicial Authorities in the period 2022-2024

by Davide Madeddu

3 February 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The trend is declining. Over the past ten years, the number of 'intercepted targets' has almost halved. From 141,774 in 2013 to 83,883 in 2023, a reduction of 40.8%. A slight reversal, however, will be recorded in the first half of 2024. This is the picture portrayed by Eurispes in the research 'Interceptions - Knowing to Improve', coordinated by Professors Mario Caligiuri and Luciano Romito, which analyses the use of wiretapping tools by the Italian Judicial Authorities in the period 2022-2024 using data made available by official sources.

Telephone tapping tops

Of the total number of interceptions, telephone interceptions are the most practised, accounting for 71% to 74% and confirming themselves as the main investigative tool. This is followed by environmental interceptions, which have a percentage ranging between 16 and 17%, and computer interceptions with a range between 5 and 7%. The use of Trojans is limited to 5% of cases, while what is defined as 'other types' stops at 1%.

In the South 37% of total targets

Then there is the territorial distribution where there are 'strong disparities'. "Southern Italy records 37% of the total targets, the Islands 20-21%. Sicily, Campania and Latium are the most monitored regions, together representing 45-46% of the national total,' write the authors of the study. Molise records the lowest value (93-172 targets). By macro-areas, the South and the Islands concentrate over 50% of interceptions, highlighting a strong territorial asymmetry linked to the presence of organised crime'. As for the North, Lombardy comes after Apulia, with 7,207 total interceptions and a percentage of 9%, followed by Piedmont with 4,398 and a percentage of 5%. Below 4,000 interceptions Tuscany and Emilia Romagna and Liguria. In Veneto, the percentage is 2% with a total of 1,732 interceptions.

How the system works

The wiretapping system is linked to the investigation activity. "The Anti-Mafia District Directorates dispose of 41-42% of the total wiretaps, confirming their strategic role in the fight against organised crime," the experts go on to write. Naples, Palermo and Reggio Calabria are the most active districts. The Ordinary Section represents 57-58% of the total, while terrorism proceedings are under 1%, mainly concentrated in Milan, Rome, Genoa and Florence"

A bill that exceeds 190 million a year.

The bill the state has to bear is certainly not insignificant. In 2022, expenditure on wiretapping amounted to EUR 192.6 million. A figure rising to 193.5 million in 2023. "Palermo leads the ranking with more than 44-48 million per year, followed by Naples (17-20 million), Milan and Rome (12-14 million each) - the study continues -. The gap with Campobasso, last in the ranking with less than 500,000 euros, is about 100 times".

The Gap

The study highlights a shortcoming: 'there is no uniform system for recording the specific expenses for transcription and sound experts,' it emphasises. 'Out of 26 Appeal Courts surveyed during the research conducted by Eurispes, only 13 responded, with partial and non-comparable data. The expenses are recorded in aggregate form under the heading 'magistrate's auxiliaries', preventing an accurate assessment of this cost item'.

The recognised figure is missing

The research also highlights another aspect: there is a lack of a 'formally recognised figure'. "Despite the inclusion of the category 'transcription' in the register of appraisers (Legislative Decree 19/2024), there is still no clear regulatory definition of professional requirements. The national list has only 76 members, 39 of whom have no indication of the professional order to which they belong. The implementing ministerial decree is still waiting to be issued'.

The suggestions

For the authors of the report, it is necessary to 'implement the ministerial software to distinguish between transcription and phonic expertise expenses', to 'precisely define the professional requirements for transcription and phonic experts', and to 'ensure greater transparency in the management of assignments and expenses and standardise data collection at national level'.