Arabic version: تعليق سائقي الترام في ميلانو بسبب محادثات واتساب الجنسية

A group of tram drivers in Milan has been suspended while authorities investigate a WhatsApp group allegedly used for sharing sexist comments about female passengers. According to The Guardian, the investigation follows reports that the drivers exchanged vulgar remarks and images focusing on the legs, faces, breasts, and thighs of women traveling on their trams.

Milan prosecutors have placed at least one employee of ATM, the city’s public transport company, under investigation for allegedly accessing an IT system without authorisation and for hacking a CCTV system to obtain these images. Additionally, searches of the homes of five other male employees have been ordered, along with the confiscation of their mobile devices.

The scandal came to light when a woman on the number 15 tram observed an off-duty driver viewing a WhatsApp chat that included sexist comments and images of female passengers. After taking a photo of the chat, she reported it to a prominent feminist activist, leading to further scrutiny of the situation.

ATM has stated that it is conducting an internal inquiry to clarify the events and ensure the proper use of company tools. The company emphasized its commitment to protecting customers and maintaining the integrity of its workforce. Marco Maria Donzelli, president of Codacons, a consumer watchdog, expressed the seriousness of the allegations, noting potential criminal offenses that could lead to civil claims for compensation from the victims.

Transport union leaders have echoed the need for respect for human dignity and gender equality, emphasizing that these values are essential in public service. The issue of online misogyny is a pressing concern in Italy, with previous incidents raising alarms about the treatment of women in digital spaces.