A Paris court has found ten individuals guilty of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, for perpetuating false allegations about her gender, including claims that she was born male.
These malicious rumors, labeled as particularly degrading, reflect the toxic side of online discourse and have been aimed at attacking her identity over the years.
Among those convicted, one defendant received a six-month prison sentence, while the others faced suspended terms, all mandated to attend cyberbullying awareness training.
Brigitte Macron is also pursuing legal action against American influencer Candace Owens for amplifying these harmful conspiracy theories, highlighting her fight against online misinformation.
This landmark ruling serves as a crucial legal statement in France against the accountability of individuals who spread harmful falsehoods on social media.
The case exemplifies the severe personal impact of cyberbullying and emphasizes the urgent need for stronger protections for public figures, especially women, against online harassment.