Ten Convicted for Transgender Smear Campaign Against France's First Lady

A Paris court convicted ten people on Monday for the cyber-harassment of Brigitte Macron, France's first lady. They were found guilty of spreading false online claims that she is a transgender woman. The defendants all targeted Brigitte Macron with the same false allegation. The court issued sentences ranging from mandatory cyberbullying awareness training to suspended prison terms of up to eight months. The verdict highlights France's strict laws against online harassment. Public figures, including politicians and their families, are increasingly using these laws to combat coordinated smear campaigns and misinformation.