Stefano De Martino Faces Privacy Breach as Hacked Videos Spread Online: Legal Action Begins
Rome, August 19, 2025 – Italian television host Stefano De Martino has become the latest victim of a shocking privacy violation, with private videos of him and his partner, Caroline Tronelli, illegally obtained and widely circulated online. The breach, stemming from a hack of the couple’s home surveillance system in Rome, has prompted De Martino to file formal complaints with authorities, sparking a legal battle against those responsible for the illicit dissemination. This incident, reported across major Italian outlets like Fanpage.it and Il Messaggero, highlights the growing threat of cybercrime targeting public figures.
Details of the Privacy Breach
The unauthorized videos, capturing intimate moments between De Martino and Tronelli, were extracted from the closed-circuit surveillance system in Tronelli’s Roman home, according to Adnkronos and Unione Sarda. Hackers, believed to operate from abroad, infiltrated the system and distributed the footage across WhatsApp, Telegram, and foreign websites, some of which have since been taken down following legal intervention. The videos, marked “forwarded many times” on messaging platforms, went viral, amplifying the violation of the couple’s privacy.
De Martino, known for hosting RAI’s Affari Tuoi, acted swiftly through his legal team, Angelo and Sergio Pisani. Complaints were filed with the Porto Cervo State Police and the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office, alleging the crime of “illegal dissemination of sexually explicit images or videos” under Italy’s Article 612-ter, part of the 2019 “Codice Rosso” laws. The legal action seeks to identify and prosecute the hackers, as well as those who shared or stored the videos, contributing to their spread. Il Messaggero reports that the lawyers provided electronic traces to aid investigators in tracking the perpetrators.
Legal and Social Implications
The Italian Privacy Authority (Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali) has intervened, issuing an immediate order to halt further dissemination of the videos, as noted in Fanpage.it. The authority warned that sharing such material is a serious offense, with penalties under Article 612-ter including up to six years in prison and fines up to €15,000, or nine years for distribution via messaging apps. The Garante’s investigation could lead to significant sanctions for those involved, emphasizing the legal risks of handling non-consensual private content.
This case echoes a similar privacy violation involving actor Raoul Bova, reported by Cronache della Campania, and draws parallels to a 2011 incident involving De Martino’s former partner, Belen Rodriguez, who faced non-consensual sharing of private footage. The recurrence of such breaches underscores the vulnerability of home security systems and the challenges of combating cyberbullying and privacy violations in the digital age.
De Martino’s Response and Public Support
De Martino’s legal team has vowed that any compensation from the case will be donated to charities supporting children and anti-cyberbullying initiatives, as reported by Unione Sarda. The lawyers issued a public appeal, urging users to delete the videos and warning that retaining or sharing them fuels an “illicit and dangerous market.” De Martino, while not issuing a public statement, is reportedly focused on protecting his family’s privacy and holding those responsible accountable.
Public sentiment on X reflects widespread support for De Martino, with users condemning the breach as a “disgusting invasion of privacy” and praising his swift legal action. However, some posts highlight the difficulty of containing viral content, noting its potential presence on the dark web, as mentioned by Gossip e TV.
Broader Context and Ongoing Investigation
The incident, first brought to light by journalist Gabriele Parpiglia via Affari Italiani, raises questions about the motives behind the hack—whether it targeted De Martino specifically or sought material for illicit markets. The Italian Postal Police are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the hackers, with early indications pointing to foreign perpetrators, per Repubblica. The case also highlights the broader issue of cybersecurity, as home surveillance systems become prime targets for cybercriminals.
As the legal battle unfolds, De Martino and Tronelli’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the risks public figures face in the digital era. The swift response from authorities and the Garante signals a commitment to cracking down on such violations, but the challenge of fully eradicating the circulated footage remains. For now, De Martino’s fight for justice is just beginning, with the hope of setting a precedent against privacy breaches.
Sources: Fanpage.it, Il Messaggero, Adnkronos, Unione Sarda, Cronache della Campania, Repubblica, Gossip e TV