Following the hacking of his home's surveillance cameras, sexual images of TV presenter Stefano De Martino were illegally broadcast. An investigation has been opened.

A scandal is rocking Italy. After the surveillance cameras at the home of renowned Rai presenter Stefano De Martino were hacked, a sex tape showing him with his partner Caroline Tronelli, heiress to a wealthy Neapolitan family, was illegally circulated on various forums and chat rooms, the daily Corriere della Sera revealed on Monday.

Stefano De Martino subsequently filed a complaint against an unknown person for "illicit dissemination of sexually explicit images or videos" with the Rome prosecutor's office. However, neither the television presenter nor his partner have yet made a public statement.

An investigation has been launched. It will aim not only to identify those who stole the videos, but also those who shared the images, those who still keep the files on their computers or mobile phones, and those who posted offensive comments about the people concerned or their families. "Most of these files have already been blocked," reports Corriere della Sera.

"The compensation will be donated to children's charities and anti-cyberbullying initiatives," the couple's lawyers said.

Call to delete photos and videos

They also publicly called for the "removal of private photos and videos" from the internet. This call is specifically aimed at "users who, unwittingly, commit such serious crimes by manipulating other people's personal data and developing an illicit and dangerous market."