WorldBrief
Italy privacy authority warns platforms over Tajani data circulation
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, while the regulator outlined possible steps for online platforms.
Italy’s privacy authority warned media and platforms on November 7 against republishing personal data obtained through unlawful activity, in a notice concerning Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Tajani said Saturday that his personal data had been circulated and that he had faced intimidation, CBS News reported on November 8. He attributed the targeting to his support for Ukraine, according to CBS.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with Tajani in a November 7 statement. She described the activity as the work of pro-Russian hackers and expressed concern about the sale of confidential material about officials.
Italy’s data protection authority said its warning applied to news outlets, websites and platforms. It said acquiring, distributing or republishing data from unlawful activity violates personal-data protection rules, including when the person concerned is a public figure.
The authority said it would monitor circulation of the data. Where necessary, it said it would urgently restrict or prohibit processing and ask platforms to remove content.
What we don't know yet
- How was the personal information disseminated?
- What steps, if any, will the data protection authority take in response to further circulation?
Timeline
Meloni issued a statement expressing solidarity with Tajani.
The Italian data protection authority issued a warning to media and platforms.
CBS News reported Tajani’s comments about dissemination of his personal data.