Italy is grappling with a major data breach scandal involving unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The controversy centers around a former Intesa Sanpaolo employee who allegedly spied on thousands of bank accounts, including those of prominent government figures like Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her sister Arianna.

Meloni has expressed her expectation for a thorough judicial investigation, highlighting the potential for serious crimes such as extortion and subversion.

The government is reportedly preparing a decree to increase penalties for unauthorized data access and to regulate police database usage.

This scandal underscores the urgent need for stronger data protection measures in Italy.