Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 10:25:29 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Italy Puts All Salaries Online

Posted May 1, 08 4:12 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – The outgoing Italian government posted all citizens’ earnings and tax information, briefly, on the Internet yesterday, sparking outrage over lost privacy, the BBC reports. The site was quickly clogged by Italians checking up on neighbors’ and celebrities’ financial status. The information went offline after about 24 hours in response to a complaint from the country’s privacy overseers.

There was no advance warning from the finance ministry, which said the move was meant to increase transparency. “I can't understand what the problem is," said an economic official. "This already exists all around the world, you just have to watch any American soap to see that." The move comes days before a power handover; the current government had pledged to fight tax evasion.

Source BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
Italy posted its citizens' earnings on the internet, sparking outrage and curiosity.   (Shutterstock.com)
Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi gestures during a press conference in Brussels, March 14, 2008. Prodi's government is stepping down; posting earnings online was one of its last moves.   (AP Photo/Thierry Charlier)
Italy posted its citizens' earnings on the internet, sparking outrage and curiosity.   (Shutterstock.com)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Internet  • Italy  • taxes  • salary  • income  • earnings


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »