Sexist forum Phica.eu shuts down: stolen images expose women to online ridicule
After the "My Wife" case, the Italian web has been shaken by a new scandalPer restare aggiornato entra nel nostro canale Whatsapp
After the "Mia Moglie" case, the Italian web was rocked by a new scandal: the pornographic forum Phica.eu, a platform where thousands of users shared and commented on photos of women—stolen from social media or public events—transforming them into sexist and degrading material.
The avalanche of reports was triggered on August 24 by creator Anna Madaro . From there, a long list of women—influencers, ordinary girls, actresses, but also political and institutional figures—discovered they had ended up in the forum's cauldron. Among them were Democratic Party MEP Alessandra Moretti, Latina Democratic Party group leader Valeria Campagna, former undersecretary Alessia Morani, Florence mayor Sara Funaro, and even Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein. The images, often banal swimsuit shots or public photographs, were accompanied by obscene and violent comments.
The reactions were swift. "That site had been stealing photos and television clips for years, reworking them and feeding them to a crowd of users who inundated me with insults and obscenities," Alessandra Moretti, who has already filed a complaint, complained. "It's not just a personal offense, but an attack on all women. Those forums incite rape and violence; they must be shut down and banned."
Valeria Campagna agreed: "I found private and public photos of me, accompanied by sexist, vulgar, and even threatening comments. We cannot remain silent." "I will file a complaint," added Alessia Morani, "because this content violates the dignity of all of us." Florence's mayor, Sara Funaro, also confirmed that she had filed a complaint with the postal police: "The site's closure is a victory, but the damage remains. Those stolen images and the shameful comments demonstrate that we still have a long way to go."
M5S Vice President Chiara Appendino also offered a harsh comment, extending her reflection beyond the single incident: "This digital violence is just the tip of the iceberg. What originates online spills over into real life: relationships, work, and everyday life. In the heat of the moment, outrage and outrage aren't enough: we need a profound cultural shift, starting with education in respect and equality."
This morning, finally, the official announcement: Phica.eu has been shut down. The operators published a statement admitting they were unable to "stop the toxic behavior" that transformed the platform into a hotbed of misogynistic violence. But these parting words aren't enough to erase the devastating impact the forum has had on its victims.
The site's closure is certainly an important achievement, but it certainly doesn't solve the problem. It once again highlights the fragility of online protections and the ease with which the privacy and dignity of people, especially women, can be violated and commodified. A clear message comes from the victims themselves: stop being silent, report, demand concrete action. Because as long as there is room for forums like Phica, the web will remain fertile ground for violence that never stops on the screen.
(Unioneonline/Fr.Me.)