Facebook Shuts Down Group Where Men Would Share Sexual Photos of Their Partners Without Their Consent

After a digital scandal, Meta shut down an Italian Facebook public group, "Mia Moglie ❤❤❤" ("My Wife"), where approximately 32,000 men allegedly shared intimate photos of their partners or impersonated them without their consent. The group's existence, which spanned from 2019, sparked outrage across Italy and raised serious concerns over privacy violations and digital gender violence.

According to a report from Spanish newspaper El País, the group, initially dormant, became active in May 2025, when scores of nude or sexualized images were posted. Mostly anonymous members engaged in demeaning commentary, sharing photos they took secretly or even manipulated using artificial intelligence. Following the outcry, Meta removed the group, citing violations of its adult sexual exploitation policy: "We do not allow content that threatens or promotes sexual violence, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation."

The scandal gained traction after feminist influencer Carolina Capria sounded the alarm on Instagram. She condemned the group for facilitating what she termed a "virtual gang rape," where women's bodies were exposed and judged without consent. Her post went viral, compelling thousands to report the group, both to Facebook and Italian authorities.

Italian women's rights activist Bianca Bellucci called the group "the n-th manifestation of a patriarchal society that treats women as objects to possess and exchange."

Simultaneously, the women's rights collective No Justice No Peace amplified the pressure, while Italy's Codacons, a leading consumer association, threatened legal action unless Meta acted swiftly. Lawmakers from major political parties like the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party condemned Facebook's inaction, arguing that tolerating such content amounted to complicity with sex-based violence.

Italian authorities were inundated with complaints. A division of the Postal Police, Italy's national police force tasked with handling investigations involving communications, disclosed to the Financial Times that around 2,800 complaints came in from individuals who had found their intimate images shared without permission. Barbara Strappato, deputy director of the Police, emphasized that "there was no authorization whatsoever for the use of the intimate images."

Legal experts warn that those involved could face severe penalties. Marisa Marraffino, a lawyer specializing in digital crimes, noted that participants could be prosecuted for revenge porn, privacy violations, aggravated defamation, and even child pornography, potentially carrying sentences of up to six years in prison.

Italy has strict laws banning the non-consensual publication of intimate images. Since 2019, offenders can face between one and six years behind bars, plus fines up to €15,000 or approximately $17,417.56. Despite the group's removal, activists warn this may only be the first battle. Capria and others warn that replicas are likely proliferating on Facebook, Telegram, and other networks.