Mobilization day saw large protests and incidents

On October 17, a mobilization day in France brought together between 550,000 and 800,000 demonstrators, according to estimates from the Ministry of the Interior and organizers. However, the day was also marked by incidents, including the spread of false information on social networks.

False claims about an elderly couple circulate online

An internet user on Facebook posted that an 80-year-old couple was stripped of their belongings, beaten, and found naked in the street. Another user echoed the claim, stating, « We have reached a point of no return. » These posts were accompanied by images supposedly showing the couple being attacked, with some placing the scene near the Place de la République in Paris.

Images were AI-generated, not real

The images accompanying the claims were created using artificial intelligence (AI). The information about the alleged attack came from a police source, relayed by Le Parisien and BFM TV. However, Les Surligneurs has not been able to confirm the details of the incident at this time.

Media outlets initially reported the incident

Le Parisien published a report around 8 PM on October 17, stating that a couple of octogenarians had been attacked and stripped by demonstrators. The report cited a « police source. » At the same time, BFM TV reported the incident live, citing a police-justice consultant, Dominique Rizet, who relayed the information.

The information was later retracted

After the initial reports, Le Parisien removed the information from its website, and Dominique Rizet did not respond to follow-up requests. According to CheckNews of Libération, the consultant received the information from a police source at 8:47 PM while broadcasting live.

AI-generated images spread the false narrative

Nearly two hours later, the account @InfosIsraelNews on X posted a montage denouncing « riots in France, » including the claim that a couple of retirees had been stripped. This was the first known occurrence of the AI-generated image that later went viral. The image showed a woman with only four fingers on her left hand, a common « hallucination » in AI-generated images.

More AI images spread the false story

In the following hours, other posts reiterating the rumor appeared, each with new images supposedly showing the scene. One image showed a blurred couple being surrounded by two individuals in black, while another showed a couple with a survival blanket. These images contained inconsistencies, such as the absence of a lion at the foot of the Monument to the Republic in Paris.

No evidence confirms the attack occurred

Currently, there is no evidence to confirm that the attack described in the viral posts actually occurred. The Paris prosecutor's office stated on October 20 that it was not aware of any complaints related to the incident. The Paris police prefecture has not responded to Les Surligneurs’ requests for confirmation.