Macron Pushes for New Legislation to Rapidly Block Digital Disinformation

France’s Macron Proposes Fast-Track Legal Action to Combat Online Disinformation

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Friday that he has directed his government to develop new summary proceedings allowing rapid legal action against harmful or defamatory content spreading across social media platforms.

Speaking in the northeastern town of Mirecourt, Macron emphasized the need for a mechanism “firmly anchored in French legislation as soon as possible” that would empower victims to request judicial intervention within a compressed timeframe.

“We are completely powerless,” Macron told regional press, describing the personal toll of online harassment. “It takes an enormous amount of time, it continues, people see it, and there are those who are foolish enough to believe it is true. And that undermines you.”

Under the proposed system, targets of online harassment or disinformation campaigns could petition a judge “to rule within 48 hours” and order the removal of offending content. The president argued that such swift intervention is crucial in today’s digital landscape, where false information can circulate globally before corrections can catch up.

The initiative forms part of a broader governmental strategy against what French authorities describe as escalating hostile foreign propaganda. Macron revealed he has convened a defense council specifically dedicated to “information warfare,” with officials tasked to complete their assessment by year’s end.

The president and First Lady Brigitte Macron have themselves been frequent targets of online conspiracy theories, most notably persistent false claims that Brigitte was born male. The couple has already taken international legal action, filing a case in the United States against conservative commentator Candace Owens for allegedly amplifying these gender-related falsehoods. Their American legal representative has indicated the Macrons plan to present “scientific” evidence and photographic documentation to refute these claims.

France’s heightened focus on disinformation comes amid growing concerns about Russia’s influence operations across Europe. French intelligence and security officials have repeatedly warned that such activities have intensified dramatically since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

During his address, Macron highlighted a recent fabricated story claiming France had deployed 1,000 Foreign Legion troops to Ukraine. “You may have read it, maybe even believed it for a moment. All of that was completely false,” he stated, using the example to illustrate how quickly misinformation can gain traction.

Digital policy experts note that France’s proposed approach represents one of the most aggressive governmental responses to online disinformation in Western Europe. While the European Union has implemented the Digital Services Act requiring platforms to moderate content more effectively, Macron’s proposal would create a more direct judicial pathway for individuals seeking redress.

Civil liberties organizations have expressed concerns about potential overreach, questioning how courts will balance speech protections with the need to combat malicious falsehoods. Legal scholars point out that defining the boundaries between harmful disinformation and protected speech could prove challenging in practice.

The announcement came during a multi-city presidential tour that has included stops in Toulouse and Arras, allowing Macron to engage directly with citizens on issues ranging from economic concerns to social media impacts. The president has used these engagements to emphasize the connection between digital manipulation and broader democratic resilience.

French media outlets have increasingly covered the mechanics of disinformation campaigns, highlighting how initial false claims on fringe platforms can eventually penetrate mainstream discourse, often through coordinated amplification efforts across multiple social networks.

The government is expected to present detailed legislative proposals within the coming months, potentially setting a precedent for other European nations grappling with similar challenges in the digital information space.