‘Think before sharing’: Giorgia Meloni issues warning as fake lingerie images spread online

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has issued a sharp warning on the dangers of artificial intelligence-driven misinformation after doctored images of her, including one depicting her in lingerie, went viral on social media.

In a statement on Tuesday, Meloni said multiple fake images generated using AI were being circulated online and falsely presented as authentic by political opponents. Sharing one such image herself to expose the manipulation, she said the incident underscored how easily technology can be misused to mislead the public.

“In recent days, several fake images of me have been circulating, generated using artificial intelligence and passed off as real,” she said, adding with a touch of irony that the creator had “even improved my appearance quite a bit.” However, she cautioned that the issue was far more serious than personal attacks.

The AI-generated image triggered outrage among some users who believed it to be genuine, with critics calling it “shameful” and “unworthy” of a prime minister. Meloni said the episode reflected a disturbing trend where “anything at all” is being used to spread falsehoods and target individuals.

“The point goes beyond me. Deepfakes are a dangerous tool because they can deceive, manipulate and strike anyone,” she said, stressing that while she could defend herself, many others may not be in a position to do so.

Urging digital responsibility, Meloni called on citizens to exercise caution before consuming or sharing online content. “One rule should always apply: verify before believing, and think before sharing,” she said, warning that misinformation could harm unsuspecting individuals.

The controversy also revives an ongoing legal battle. Two years ago, Meloni filed a libel suit against a man from Sardinia accused of creating and distributing deepfake pornographic images using her likeness. The case remains under judicial consideration.

The incident comes amid growing global concerns over the misuse of AI technologies. Italy has already taken a lead in regulation, becoming the first European Union country to introduce a comprehensive law governing AI use, including strict penalties for creating harmful deepfakes.

The legislation followed a major scandal involving a pornographic website that published doctored images of several prominent Italian women, including opposition leader Elly Schlein, sparking widespread outrage.

Meloni’s remarks highlight the urgent need for stronger safeguards as AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect.