Key Facts
• Italian PM Giorgia Meloni condemned a porn site for hosting altered images of women.
• The site included manipulated images of Meloni, her sister Arianna, and other public figures.
• The site, with hundreds of thousands of users, was shut down on August 28, 2025.
• Users reportedly sourced images from social media and public platforms for misogynistic edits.
• Italy’s 2019 revenge porn law imposes up to six years in prison for illegal explicit content distribution.
• Meloni expressed solidarity with all women harmed by the site in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
• She criticized the normalization of online misogyny and called for stronger privacy protections.
• Meloni previously separated from a partner over sexist remarks and has been vocal on women’s issues.
• In 2024, she sued two individuals for creating a deepfake video of her, seeking $108,200 in damages.
• Any awarded damages would be donated to a national fund supporting female victims of violence.
Summary
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed outrage over a pornographic website that featured altered images of herself, her sister Arianna, and other prominent women, accompanied by misogynistic captions. The site, which had amassed hundreds of thousands of users, was shut down on August 28, 2025, following widespread backlash. Meloni condemned the normalization of online misogyny and emphasized the importance of protecting privacy in the digital age. Italy’s 2019 revenge porn law, which penalizes the illegal distribution of explicit content with up to six years in prison, was highlighted in her remarks. Meloni has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, previously suing individuals for creating a deepfake video of her and pledging any damages to a fund supporting female victims of violence. Her sister Arianna also criticized the societal tendency to invade privacy and trivialize women’s achievements. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in combating online harassment and protecting women’s dignity.
