Dozens charged after Rome clashes over death of Italian-Egyptian man
Police on Thursday charged some 39 people, including two minors, in relation to Rome protests over the death of Ramy Elgaml – a 19-year-old Italian-Egyptian national who died in a motorcycle accident in Milan while being chased by a police patrol car, according to Ansa.
Charges included unlawful assembly, incitement to violence and violence against public officials.
Nine police officers were injured during clashes with demonstrators in Rome’s San Lorenzo district on Saturday. Several police vans and local businesses were also damaged by homemade explosive devices.
Many of the suspects were involved in anarchist circles, police sources said, according to Ansa.
Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the protests on Sunday, saying on X that the capital “saw the umpteenth, ignoble episode of disorder and chaos caused by the usual rioters who took to the streets not to demonstrate for a cause, but purely in a spirit of revenge".
"It's not possible to use a tragedy to legitimise violence," she added.
The protests came after prosecutors in Milan launched an investigation into whether the Carabinieri officers who were chasing the motorcycle rammed into it with their car.
The chase took place after the scooter, which was driven by 22-year-old Tunisian national Fares Bouzidi, with Elgaml riding in the back, failed to stop at a police roadblock.
Police pursuit continued for eight kilometres and ended with the accident that killed Elgaml.
Bouzidi and the officer who was driving the patrol car are both being investigated in relation to vehicular manslaughter charges.
Italy plans crackdown on ‘fake’ online reviews
Italy's government on Tuesday unveiled a draft law seeking to regulate online reviews of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions under efforts to stop fake or paid reviewers, according to Il Sole 24 Ore.
If approved by parliament, the bill would require anyone writing an online review to provide a valid form of ID as well as proof that they visited the place or business they wish to review.
Under the proposed rules, reviews would have to be posted within two weeks of a visit and businesses could demand the removal of reviews older than two years provided that they were no longer relevant.
Enforcement of the new regulation would be entrusted to Italian competition watchdog AGCM.
Italy’s Tourism Minister Daniela Santanché expressed satisfaction over the proposal, saying that it marked “an important step for the protection of our businesses”.
“Reviews, which thanks to this regulatory intervention will actually be truthful, are fundamental for the success of companies and for the trust of consumers and tourists,” she added.
The draft law was welcomed by hospitality industry operators and consumer groups.
Vittorio Messina, president of lobby group Assoturismo Confesercenti, said that “the crackdown on fake reviews represents a significant step towards consumer protection and the promotion of fair competition in the restaurant and tourism sectors.”
Consumer group Assoutenti said in a statement that "any initiative that ensures greater transparency for consumers in choosing products and services is welcome."
Chinese apps including TikTok hit by privacy complaints in Europe
Online privacy campaigners said on Thursday they had filed complaints in several European countries against six Chinese companies including TikTok, accusing them of "unlawfully" sending Europeans' personal data to China, according to AFP.
Prominent Austria-based privacy campaign group NOYB (None of Your Business) said it has lodged six complaints against TikTok, AliExpress, Shein, Temu, WeChat and Xiaomi.
The complaints were filed in Austria, Belgium, Greece, Italy and the Netherlands.
Noyb has launched several legal cases against US technology giants such as Meta and Google, often prompting action from regulatory authorities over violations of the EU's landmark General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
“It is crystal clear that China doesn't offer the same level of data protection as the EU," said NOYB data protection lawyer Kleanthi Sardeli.
"Transferring Europeans' personal data is clearly unlawful – and must be terminated immediately," Sardeli said according to a statement.
According to the privacy group, AliExpress, Shein, TikTok and Xiaomi "transfer data to China", while Temu and WeChat mention transfers to "third countries".
A spokesperson for Xiaomi said in a statement that the company was "aware" of the complaint and is "investigating the allegations made therein".
"In the event that a national data protection authority approaches Xiaomi in the future due to this complaint, we will fully cooperate with the authority to resolve the issue," the statement added.
TikTok declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
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