In a shocking revelation, personal phone numbers of high-ranking officials, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have been found readily accessible online, raising serious concerns about privacy and data security. For a subscription fee of approximately 600 euros per year, or even for free for limited access, anyone can obtain these sensitive contacts through specialized online platforms.
The issue was first highlighted by IT expert Andrea Mavilla, who discovered the alarming availability of these private numbers during a routine online search. Mavilla's findings were reported in the newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano, which detailed how these platforms, known as lead generation portals, have been operating without significant oversight.
According to Mavilla, the database contains a staggering amount of personal information, including 2,125 contacts from the Presidency of the Council, 13,822 from the Ministry of Justice, 4,871 from the Ministry of the Interior, and 11,688 from the Ministry of Defense. Additionally, it lists 3,805 employees of the State Police, 6,301 of the Carabinieri, and 6,018 of the Guardia di Finanza. These numbers are not the official contact details used for government communication but rather personal numbers intended for family and close friends.
"I had to understand how criminals could access such sensitive data," Mavilla explained, emphasizing the urgency of his findings. His investigation began when he encountered these numbers while using the Tor browser, a tool designed for anonymous web browsing. Alarmed by the implications, he reported his findings to the authorities on March 17, 2025.
Following Mavilla's report, the Italian postal police initiated an investigation into the matter. They are expected to submit a report to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rome by April 9, 2025, detailing the public dissemination of these private phone numbers. The police are working closely with the National Cybercrime Center to trace the origins of the data and determine whether any laws were violated in its acquisition.
The platforms facilitating this data exchange are based in Russia, the United States, and Israel, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding privacy and data protection. Although some of these services can be accessed for free, users are limited in their searches, and a full subscription requires a business email and payment.
In his communications with authorities, Mavilla expressed concern about the potential for misuse of this information. He noted that not only could these numbers be used to harass or disturb the individuals listed, but they could also be exploited for tracking purposes using geolocation technology.
"There are definitely illicit profiles involved in this situation," a source within the Data Protection Authority stated, indicating that the agency is taking the matter seriously. However, they also acknowledged the challenges posed by the international nature of the platforms involved.
On March 24, Mavilla reached out directly to Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, highlighting the national security implications of the situation. He urged the minister to take immediate action to address the breach of privacy and its potential consequences for the safety of state officials.
In response to the investigation, the Agency for National Cybersecurity initially dismissed the claims as a hoax, stating, "As of now, we do not have any database containing the data of the cybersecurity agency. Therefore, concerning data on ACN, we do not see any danger to national security." However, the agency's response has not quelled public concern, as many believe the risk is too significant to ignore.
The existence of these lead generation platforms has been a topic of discussion since at least 2019, when similar concerns were raised in an investigation by Sky TG24. Despite previous warnings, the platforms have continued to operate, indicating a troubling trend in the accessibility of private information.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the effectiveness of data protection laws in Italy and the broader implications for privacy in the digital age. With the ease of access to such sensitive information, many are left wondering how to safeguard their personal data in an increasingly interconnected world.
In light of these developments, the Data Protection Authority has opened its own inquiry into the matter, signaling a potential for regulatory action against these platforms. The outcome of this investigation could set important precedents for data privacy laws in Italy and beyond.
As society grapples with the implications of this breach, it is clear that the intersection of technology and privacy will continue to be a contentious issue. The public's right to privacy must be balanced against the demands of the digital economy, and as this situation demonstrates, the stakes have never been higher.
Moving forward, it is crucial for both authorities and the public to engage in a dialogue about the importance of data protection and the measures necessary to ensure that such breaches do not become commonplace. The revelations surrounding the availability of these personal phone numbers are a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved.
