Overview

• Italian Postal Police opened an investigation after numerous complaints from politicians, public figures and private women.
• The site, identified as Phica.eu, operated for years and reportedly amassed hundreds of thousands of users since around 2005.
• Images of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, opposition leader Elly Schlein and influencer Chiara Ferragni were posted, sometimes edited and paired with obscene or violent commentary.
• Local PD politician Valeria Campagna discovered her photos on the forum, publicized the archive and filed a complaint, prompting others including MEP Alessandra Moretti to do the same.
• The scandal follows the takedown of the “Mia Moglie” Facebook group and has intensified debate in Italy over digital sexual violence and legal remedies.