Just eight months before France’s presidential election, Russia-linked disinformation networks have launched a large-scale campaign of cyberattacks targeting key political figures in the country. The use of artificial intelligence to create fake news has raised concerns in Paris, where the government is preparing an immediate tightening of the legal framework.
Candidates Targeted in Disinformation Campaigns
According to French security sources, destabilization operations have targeted three declared or potential presidential candidates:
- Édouard Philippe (center-right): Targeted by online smear campaigns regarding his health condition.
- Raphaël Glucksmann (left-wing European Parliament member): Attacked through a fabricated report accusing his journalist partner of media corruption.
- Gabriel Attal (former prime minister): Falsely portrayed on social media as suffering from a serious illness.
Former Prime Minister Attal directly accused Moscow during an interview with RTL radio, warning that “if we do not protect ourselves, elections risk being manipulated.”
Up to 6 Years in Prison for Foreign Interference
To address the threat, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a draft law introducing significantly tougher penalties:
- Stricter punishments: Spreading disinformation during an electoral campaign would be punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a €45,000 fine, compared with the current maximum of one year.
- Foreign interference: If fake news is proven to have been distributed on behalf of a foreign state or organization, the sentence could increase to up to 6 years in prison.
Meanwhile, some members of French politics are calling for even more radical measures, including the suspension or sanctioning of platforms such as TikTok and X during the electoral period.
