Italian Prime Minister demands token reparation for deepfake pornographic images

The Italian Premier, Giorgia Meloni, is set to testify in court on July 2nd in the trial of two individuals accused of creating and uploading deepfake pornographic images featuring her face. Meloni is listed as an injured party in the trial, which is being held in Sassari, Sardinia. She is seeking symbolic damages of 100,000 euros, stating that any money won will be donated to an Interior Ministry fund for domestic violence victims.

Meloni’s attorney, Maria Giulia Marongiu, made an email statement to The Associated Press indicating that the case concerns a “particularly odious” crime. She noted that the uploaded fabricated pornographic images can detrimentally impact an unsuspecting woman’s reputation and private life.

Marongiu further elaborated on Meloni’s involvement. Due to Meloni’s high-profile role, her attorney believes it appropriate for her to serve as a civil plaintiff in the hopes of raising broader awareness around the issue. This move is also intended to show solidarity with the many women who often remain defenseless in such instances.

The ANSA news agency revealed that Italy’s postal police identified the father-son duo who allegedly uploaded the deepfake images onto a US-based porn site. This was achieved through tracing data back to one of their cell phones. When this event occurred, Meloni was not yet the Premier but led the Brothers of Italy party.

Deepfakes are a rising concern in the digital age, with potential to inflict severe emotional damage and tarnish reputations. The case captures the importance of robust laws to protect individuals from such malicious online activities. Meloni’s fight for symbolic damages aims to set a precedent for others who may fall victim to similar crimes, signalling a necessity for stronger legal measures against the spread of non-consensual image abuse.