Rome, May 20 – The Roman Municipality is actively pursuing a project to transform 400 local newsstands into territorial anagrafe offices, enabling citizens to request certificates and handle registry practices closer to home. This initiative, however, faced a setback a year and a half ago when the Ministry of Interior blocked the plan due to privacy concerns regarding data handling by private newsstand operators. Despite this, the city council remains optimistic about overcoming these hurdles, as confirmed by Riccardo Corbucci, President of the Statute and Technological Innovation Commission of Roma Capitale.
Privacy Concerns and Digital Security at the Forefront
The primary reason for the Ministry’s intervention was to ensure the privacy of citizen data processed by newsstand operators. Corbucci explained, “The reason for the Ministry’s halt is related to guaranteeing privacy in the processing of data that citizens provide to newsstand operators. However, we are still convinced that we will soon be able to unblock the situation; epistolary contacts with the Ministry have never ceased.”
Two key issues need to be addressed to ensure data security: cybersecurity and the presence of sensitive data outside institutional settings, managed by non-municipal personnel. Corbucci noted that the cybersecurity aspect is not significantly different from other municipal service points already established in shopping centers and market stalls, which connect remotely to Rome Capitale’s IT infrastructure. “We have invested heavily in cybersecurity and continue to do so because it is a strategic factor, and we can never let our guard down, as we are subject to an average of 13 million cyberattacks a year,” Corbucci stated.
Addressing the ‘Private Operator’ Dilemma
The more critical issue revolves around the fact that newsstand operators are private individuals, and as such, should not have direct access to citizens’ personal data. Corbucci acknowledged, “The problem is formally effective, while those who work in the registry offices operate on behalf of the State. But valid solutions can be identified.” He clarified that not all anagrafe services would be delegated to newsstands; for instance, the issuance of identity cards was excluded from the outset as it requires the presence of a municipal official for fingerprint acquisition.
Newsstands as Pillars of the ’15-Minute City’
While negotiations with the Ministry continue, the city is exploring additional solutions to leverage the newsstands’ territorial presence. A new commercial regulation now allows newsstands to host external displays for institutional communications and information requests, similar to those being installed at bus stops. This move aims to prevent the decline of newsstands, whose existence is increasingly threatened by the decreasing circulation of print media.
Corbucci emphasized the strategic importance of newsstands within Rome’s “15-minute city” plan, a concept theorized by Franco-Colombian urban planner Carlos Moreno. This urban model envisions a city where basic services are accessible to residents within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. “These are essential tools for our ’15-minute city’ plan, which means a city where anyone, within a quarter of an hour from their home, can find basic services,” Corbucci highlighted.
Recognition for Rome’s Innovation Efforts
The “15-minute city” concept forms a core part of Mayor Roberto Gualtieri’s administration’s vision to transform Rome into a smart city. Corbucci recently detailed these efforts in his book, “Smart Roma,” and was awarded the McCarthy Prize at Milan’s AI Week on May 19. “I consider it primarily an award to the city of Rome and to the innovation path built in recent years by the entire administration,” Corbucci remarked, adding that this recognition, along with an award received by Roma Capitale at the Smart City Expo in Barcelona last November, confirms that the chosen path is correct, though much remains to be done.
Source: https://www.primaonline.it/2026/05/20/473555/edicole-a-roma-il-futuro-sara-digitale/
