Massive Data Breach Hits Italy's Politicians

Italy is embroiled in a significant data breach scandal involving the theft of personal information from high-profile politicians, including President Sergio Mattarella and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The breach, orchestrated by IT consultant Nunzio Samuele Calamucci and allegedly involving his team at a private investigative agency called Equalize, has compromised data of at least 800,000 Italians. Calamucci, linked to the hacktivist group Anonymous, reportedly intercepted sensitive information during off-peak hours while maintaining databases for the Interior Ministry. The incident has led to political outcry, with calls for a parliamentary investigation and stronger data protection measures, as politicians describe the breach as a threat to democracy. Four individuals have been arrested, including Calamucci and a former police officer, with many others under investigation for conspiracy and illegal access to data. The repercussions of the breach highlight the alarming market for confidential information in Italy, raising concerns about its potential misuse in political and economic contexts.