Italian site shuts down after Giorgia Meloni’s doctored photos shared: 5 things to know | World News

An Italian website accused of sharing doctored and sexualised images of well-known women has been forced to shut down following political outcry, the BBC reports.
The platform, called Phica a play on slang for female genitalia announced its closure on its homepage, saying it was ending operations “with great regret” because of “toxic behaviour” users. It had been active for around 20 years and was reported to have about 700,000 members.

The website carried altered photos of Italian female politicians, actors, and influencers, often taken from public appearances or social media.
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The pictures were posted with captions such as “hot politicians”, followed sexually explicit and violent comments.

Prime Miner Giorgia Meloni told Corriere della Sera she was “disgusted” the site, adding: “Those responsible must be punished with the utmost firmness.”
Opposition MEP Alessandra Moretti, who was among those targeted, told the BBC: “Altered images were followed a flood of obscene comments that harmed my emotional well-being and endangered the safety of many women.”
She added, “Platforms that incite rape and violence must be shut down and banned.”Story continues below this ad

The closure followed public pressure, including a petition on Change.org that gained nearly 170,000 signatures. Campaigners said the site hosted not only altered public photos but also secretly taken images from changing rooms, salons, and even public bathrooms.

When and how it unfolded?

The shutdown came days after Facebook removed another Italian group, Mia Moglie (My Wife), where intimate pictures of women were reportedly shared without their knowledge. That case went viral when writer Carolina Capria exposed it online, prompting women to come forward.

Italy’s Postal Police confirmed to the BBC that an investigation has been opened into Phica. The site said it had “always blocked and reported” violent content and images of minors, but accepted that it had become something people “wanted to dance themselves from”.
Prime Miner Meloni urged women to report any images shared without their consent, saying: “It is disheartening that in 2025 there are still those who consider it normal to trample on a woman’s dignity, hiding behind anonymity or a keyboard.”