Intesa Sanpaolo apologizes for major data breach involving Italian Prime Minister

Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, issued a public apology on Sunday following a significant security breach that compromised the personal data of thousands of clients, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Italian newspaper Domani first reported the breach, which revealed that an employee of the bank had been spying on customer accounts, including those of high-profile figures.

The bank uncovered that one of its employees had unjustifiably accessed sensitive client data, a serious violation of internal policies and privacy laws. The employee, who has since been dismissed, reportedly accessed information related to thousands of account holders, including Prime Minister Meloni. Intesa Sanpaolo filed a complaint as an injured party and notified the country’s Data Protection Authority as required by law.

In a statement, Intesa Sanpaolo expressed regret, saying: “We are deeply sorry for what has occurred and we apologize. This must never happen again.” The bank emphasized that it had acted swiftly, performing thorough checks before reporting the incident.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged the breach in an interview with the news program TG5 on Sunday. She voiced concerns about the possibility of a wider conspiracy, suggesting that public and private sector employees could be illegally selling sensitive information. “Who are they selling it to? This is the answer we are waiting for,” she stated, urging Italy’s judiciary to fully investigate the matter.

The breach has raised questions about data security and fueled speculation about the potential misuse of personal information for political or financial gain. To strengthen its security measures, Intesa Sanpaolo announced the appointment of Antonio De Vita, a retired top official from the Carabinieri police force, to oversee the bank’s cybersecurity and security services. This move underscores the bank’s commitment to preventing future incidents and bolstering its defenses against cyber threats.

While prosecutors have yet to release detailed findings, Intesa Sanpaolo continues cooperating with authorities and reiterating its dedication to safeguarding its clients’ data. The breach has prompted scrutiny of Intesa’s internal security measures and broader concerns about data privacy within the financial sector.