Ten people have been found guilty of cyberbullying France's first lady Brigitte Macron over false claims she was born a man. This verdict matters because it highlights the severity of online harassment and its impact on individuals and their families.
The claims, which were spread through numerous malicious comments on social media, falsely linked Brigitte Macron's 24-year age gap with her husband to paedophilia. The posts were viewed tens of thousands of times, causing significant distress to Brigitte Macron and her family.
This case is part of a broader pattern of conspiracy theories surrounding Brigitte Macron's identity, which have been circulating for years. The Macrons have also taken action against conservative influencer Candace Owens in the United States for defamation.