Meta has shut down a Facebook group in Italy where men were exchanging intimate photos of their wives without consent, after widespread public outrage and reports filed with authorities.
The group, named Mia Moglie (“My Wife”), was launched in 2019 and grew to more than 32,000 members. It became a platform where users shared hundreds of private images accompanied by degrading and sexist commentary.
Public and Political Outcry
The revelations have sparked a major scandal in Italy, highlighting persistent issues of gender-based abuse online. Non-profit group Vox, which monitors online discourse, noted that women are the primary targets of digital hate speech, often centered on physical appearance.
Opposition lawmakers have demanded action. The Five Star Movement described the group as an example of a “patriarchal mentality that reduces women to objects.” Roberta Mori, a Democratic Party deputy, called it “another case of structural digital violence,” comparing it to other incidents in Europe that reflect systemic patterns of abuse.
Mori urged for a united effort between institutions, regulators, civil society, and digital platforms to address what she termed a pervasive “rape culture,” both offline and online.
Meta’s Response and Activist Pressure
Meta confirmed on Wednesday that the group was removed for breaching its policies on adult sexual exploitation. The company reiterated that it prohibits content promoting sexual violence, assault, or exploitation.
The closure followed a viral Instagram post by feminist activist Carolina Capria, who denounced the group as a form of “virtual gang rape.” Her intervention prompted thousands of users to report the group, leading to its shutdown.
Police Investigations and Legal Implications
Italy’s Postal Police, which oversees cybercrime cases, confirmed it had received approximately 2,800 complaints, including from alleged victims. Deputy director Barbara Strappato described the scale of reports as unprecedented, emphasizing that no consent had been given for sharing the images.
Legal experts warned that participants in the group could face serious charges, including illegal distribution of intimate images (commonly referred to as revenge porn), privacy violations, aggravated defamation, and potentially child pornography. Under Italian law, such crimes can result in prison sentences of up to six years.
Lawyer Marisa Marraffino noted that victims have six months to file charges, and the scandal could lead to a large-scale legal case affecting thousands of families.
Broader Concerns
The case raises questions about Meta’s ability to enforce its own policies effectively, as the group had remained active for six years despite explicit prohibitions on sexually exploitative content. It also comes amid criticism that the platform has scaled back some content moderation practices.
Women’s rights advocates have called the incident a stark reminder of deep-rooted gender inequality in Italian society. Activist Bianca Bellucci described it as “yet another example of a patriarchal culture that views women as possessions to be shared and exploited.”
