Viral photo of elderly people sparks controversy

A photograph showing two elderly individuals in undergarments on a street went viral on social media, tied to the demonstrations that took place on October 17. The image quickly gained attention and was shared widely, especially by far-right activists.

Far-right activist shares the image

Alice Cordier, a far-right activist, posted the photo and claimed that the elderly couple had been robbed by young immigrant rioters during the night of October 17. She described the image as emotional, stating it could be of the couple that was attacked.

Image identified as AI-generated

Investigations revealed that the photo was likely created or altered using artificial intelligence. Some online tools that analyze such content estimated a 99% chance the image was AI-generated. Upon closer inspection, the woman in the photo was seen with only four fingers on her left hand, a detail that raised suspicion.

False claims persist despite debunking

Despite efforts by Check News to debunk the image on Sunday evening, the original posts were not removed from social media. An internet user even created a video using the fake photo, showing the elderly couple joining others in undergarments at a location called "Renaissance Française et Européenne."

Origins of the false narrative

The story of the "robbed" elderly couple initially circulated online without the photo. It claimed they had been attacked at the Place de la République. No confirmation of these claims has been provided, and the origins of the narrative remain unclear.

Possible foreign influence questioned

Some users suggested that a pro-Israel account based in Israel might have been involved in spreading the false image. The account described the situation as an example of a radical left that had "sacrificed your own identity" and linked it to the events of October 17. However, the French vigilance service Viginum has not found any evidence of foreign digital interventions connected to the demonstrations.