Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly condemned the circulation of doctored images of women, including herself, on a pornographic website. The website, Phica, which had over 700,000 subscribers before its abrupt shutdown, featured manipulated photos of high-profile women, including opposition leader Elly Schlein, politician Valeria Campagna, and influencer Chiara Ferragni. These images were taken from social media or public platforms, edited to highlight or sexualize body parts, and accompanied by sexist and vulgar captions.
Meloni described the exploitation of women’s images as “disgusting” and “dehumanizing,” emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent such incidents. She urged women to report such crimes promptly and called for the perpetrators to be identified and punished with “utmost firmness.” This incident has sparked widespread outrage in Italy, with many viewing it as a significant issue of ongoing misogyny and violence against women.
The controversy surrounding Phica has reignited discussions on the need for stricter regulations and greater accountability in the online space. Meloni’s stance on this issue is consistent with her previous actions, having sought 100,000 euros in damages after deepfake videos of her surfaced online in 2020. The incident has led to renewed calls for action against deepfakes and online harassment, with many advocating for more robust measures to protect individuals’ rights and dignity in the digital age.
