On July 4, 2025, at the Music Hall of the Library of Lonato del Garda, the public meeting "Social Hate and the Weight of Its Serious Effects" took place, promoted and organized by Lawyer Gianfranco Tripodi, a lawyer from the Brescia Bar, always committed to the protection of individuals and their rights.

The event, open to the public, featured the participation of experts in the legal, investigative, and psychological fields, with the aim of raising public awareness about the phenomenon of defamation via social networks and its serious consequences, both on the legal level and on the personal and social level.

After the institutional greetings from the Mayor of Lonato del Garda, Dr. Roberto Tardani, and the Commander of the Carabinieri Station of Lonato del Garda, Antonio Mittica, the speakers' presentations followed, including that of the CEO of AIRO Investigazioni, an institute with operational offices in Franciacorta and Lonato del Garda, illustrating the importance of private investigations in cases of online defamation.

Defamation and social networks: a growing phenomenon

Defamation, regulated by art. 595 of the penal code, takes on particularly serious contours when it occurs through social networks. Posts, comments, reviews, or videos can damage the reputation of individuals or companies, leaving traces that are difficult to remove. In many cases, those who suffer these attacks have difficulty protecting themselves, unaware that there is a structured and legal path to do so.

The private investigation: what a detective really does today

In his speech, the CEO of AIRO explained the role of the modern private investigator, a highly qualified and regulated figure, who operates not only in the civil sphere (family, work, insurance fraud), but also in the criminal sphere with an assignment from the defense lawyer, based on art. 327-bis of the c.p.p.

In the case of defamation via social media, the investigation requires professionalism and advanced tools. A screenshot is not enough to document a crime.

The crystallization of digital evidence: a legal necessity

One of the most important steps to act legally is the crystallization of digital evidence.

This process involves collecting and certifying defamatory content (posts, comments, web pages) in a forensic manner, that is indisputable in court. Certified tools are used that comply with the Budapest Convention (ratified in Italy with Law 48/2008), ensuring the authenticity of the acquired content.

From analysis to the culprit: identifying the perpetrator

Once the evidence is acquired, the investigation focuses on the identification of the subject, author of the defamation. This step, often complex, uses OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) techniques to trace anonymous profiles, email addresses, phone numbers, or suspicious activities linked to an account.

The data collected from AIRO's experience shows that the majority of authors are men between the ages of 40 and 65, predominantly in northern Italy.

Conclusion: words that leave marks

Social networks have given us the opportunity to express ourselves freely, but they have not relieved us of the responsibility for our words. When an insult turns into reputational damage, there are concrete and legitimate tools to defend oneself. Digital private investigations are now a fundamental resource for doing so, especially if conducted by authorized and up-to-date professionals.

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