Talk about a bizarre legal fight: an Italian man is taking legal action against a restaurant after a promotional TikTok video unexpectedly revealed his extramarital affair, leading directly to the end of his marriage, as reported by Dexerto. This isn’t just a divorce; it’s a lawsuit claiming the eatery violated his privacy when it posted footage of him dining with another woman as part of a social media campaign.
The 42-year-old man, who hails from Catania, told his wife he was heading out for a routine business dinner. Instead, he was spending the evening at the restaurant on a date with a secret lover. That encounter was captured on camera by staff who were busy creating marketing content for the venue. They uploaded the clip to TikTok without the customer ever knowing he was being recorded or agreeing to appear in the video.
You can imagine the shock when the man’s wife saw the viral video shortly after it went live. She quickly announced her plan to leave him, ending their marriage. Reports indicate she also kicked him out of the house. That’s an awful situation, but honestly, if you’re going to cheat, you probably shouldn’t do it where a restaurant is actively filming for social media!
This whole situation is a massive headache for the restaurant, proving that a viral marketing hit can quickly turn into a legal nightmare if you aren’t careful about privacy rules
The Italian consumer rights group Codacons is stepping in and says it’s seeking damages on his behalf. This case centers entirely on privacy and consent. The group claims the restaurant acted unlawfully by filming patrons and sharing the material online, especially since the man never agreed to appear on camera.
Francesco Tanasi, a representative for Codacons, argued that restaurants have a clear responsibility to protect their clientele. “In certain cases, the publication of a video can have very serious effects on a person’s private life and family life,” Tanasi stated. He went on to warn that all restaurants must get explicit permission before using customers in any kind of promotional material.
Tanasi added that it is “inadmissible that a restaurant films its customers without clear consent and posts the video, exposing the person to unpredictable consequences.” Codacons is serious about this claim. They’ve even threatened to escalate the case to Italy’s national privacy watchdog. If the complaint is upheld, the restaurant could face additional penalties under Italy’s stringent data protection laws.
What’s even more fascinating is how often social media plays the role of accidental detective. TikTok, in particular, has developed a reputation as a surprising relationship investigator, besides being the hub for wall-sticking aficionados and horse treat gulping trendchasers. It seems like if you’re trying to keep a secret, you really need to keep your phone off and stay out of the frame.
This Italian lawsuit is a clear sign that businesses need to take explicit consent seriously, or they could find themselves footing the bill for a very expensive divorce.
Published: Jan 7, 2026 01:30 pm