The incomes of every Italian citizen were published on the web without any prior warning by the government, just days before it was due to leave power.

Claiming it was part of a crackdown on tax evasion, the finance ministry yesterday put details of the declared taxable income of every citizen on the country's tax website.

The site proved hugely popular. Surprised Italians, delighted at the chance to find out how much their neighbours, colleagues, and high-profile celebrities were earning, bombarded the site within hours of it going live.

Critics condemned the publication, however, saying it was an outrageous breach of privacy as the government did not have consent to make the information public.

"It's a clear violation of privacy law," ADOC, the Italian consumer group, told Reuters. "There is a danger for an increase in crime and violence as the data are an irresistible source for criminals."

The treasury finally suspended the website last night after the country's privacy watchdog issued a formal complaint.

Tax evasion is rife in Italy and both Silvio Berlusconi, the incoming prime minister, and the man he succeeds, Romano Prodi, pledged to tackle tax cheats. Prodi's finance ministry described the move as a bid to shine a light on people's murky tax returns.

The tax minister, Vincenzo Visco, was quoted in Italy's Corriere della Sera saying: "It's all about transparency and democracy. I don't see the problem."

But the timing of the release of the information has been viewed with scepticism. It was one of the last acts of Prodi's centre-left government before it leaves office next week, sparking accusations the move was motivated by spite.

"It's a very strange thing to do on the last day before clearing off," Guido Crosetto, a member of Berlusconi's party, said. "Taxpayers need to pay less tax, not to know how much all the other Italians are paying."