Italy's Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali, known for challenging US tech giants like Meta and Google, is now under a corruption investigation. Prosecutors in Rome are examining potential misconduct within the agency, a stunning turn for a body that has levied hefty fines on big tech for privacy violations.

The probe threatens to undermine the authority of Europe's most aggressive data protection regulator. For years, the Garante has led high-profile cases against Silicon Valley, shaping EU privacy enforcement. A scandal could weaken its credibility and embolden companies facing its scrutiny, potentially slowing the broader push for digital rights.

Investigators have not yet revealed specific allegations or targets. The outcome will be closely watched by European regulators and the tech industry alike. A clean bill of health would restore confidence, while any proven wrongdoing could prompt calls for structural reforms within the agency and across the bloc's privacy enforcement landscape.