Want to check your e-mail in Italy? Bring your passport.

from the October 04, 2005 edition

An antiterror law makes Internet cafe managers check their clients' IDs and track the websites they visit.

By Sofia Celeste | Contributor to The Christian Science Monitor

ROME – Looking out over the cobblestone streets of Rome's Borgo Pio neighborhood, Maurizio Savoni says he's closing his Internet cafe because he doesn't want to be a "cop" anymore.

After Italy passed a new antiterrorism package in July, authorities ordered managers offering public communications services, like Mr. Savoni,to make passport photocopies of every customer seeking to use the Internet, phone, or fax.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1004/p07s01-woeu.html

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I can confirm that my PP was requested in Venice in October 05.