**Scandal Erupts in Italy: Dozens Investigated Over Hacked Government Databases**

In a sweeping investigation that has rocked Italy, four individuals were arrested on Friday, and dozens more are under scrutiny for their involvement in an alleged scheme that saw the creation of illegal dossiers. These dossiers are believed to be linked to current and former members of Italy's security services and a private intelligence agency, with high-profile victims that reportedly include senior politicians, business leaders, and even the current Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

Prime Minister Meloni has condemned the practice as "intolerable" and a serious threat to democracy. Italy's defense minister, Guido Crosetto, has also expressed grave concern, urging the country's parliament to take action and warning that the arrests may represent only the "tip of the iceberg," according to reports from La Milano.

Prosecutors have revealed that the conspiracy boasts "high-level support" across various sectors, including connections with the mafia and both domestic and foreign secret services. Central to the scandal is Equalize, a business intelligence firm led by former high-ranking police officer Carmine Gallo. Gallo is accused of hacking into sensitive government and police databases to compile dossiers for clients. He was one of the individuals arrested, along with others who are involved in cybersecurity firms.

Public broadcaster RAI News reported that around sixty people are facing charges related to conspiracy to illegally access computer systems, disclosing official secrets, corruption, and illegal wiretapping. The compromised databases include those of the police, Italy's revenue agency, and the central bank, Bankitalia. The data from these databases was allegedly sold to Equalize's clients or used for blackmail.

The anti-mafia prosecutor, Francisco De Tommasi, is leading the investigation. According to De Tommasi, Equalize assured its clients that it could manipulate investigations and trials, leveraging contacts within the police and other public services to obtain data illicitly. The firm's clientele reportedly consisted of large companies and law firms seeking to undermine their competitors or sway official decisions in their favor.

Prompted by the scandal, Italy's interior ministry has begun investigating unauthorized accesses to its internal databases. The government has also embarked on a broader examination of the security of its national IT infrastructure and privacy laws. Despite the serious allegations, Equalize has not yet responded to requests for comment. The company's website promotes its services as essential for protecting the economy from criminal interference.