19.10.2026 14:31
It has emerged that the photo showing an elderly couple being robbed in France was edited with artificial intelligence. Errors in the photo raised suspicion. The incident in Paris, however, was not verified. Macron did not accept the Interior Minister's resignation.
It has emerged that a photo claimed to show an elderly couple being robbed during looting incidents in France was created or edited with artificial intelligence.
In the photo shared on social media, people dressed in black were seen surrounding an elderly couple left in their underwear. The photo, viewed approximately 6 million times on X, was also shared by some police unions.
However, some flaws in the photo raised suspicion. It drew attention that two people appeared to have the same legs, a finger was missing from the elderly woman's hand, and the faces of the people in the background blended into one another.
Google’s SynthID Detector tool also indicated that the image was created with artificial intelligence. It was claimed that Google Gemini and OpenAI’s artificial intelligence technologies were used in different versions of the photo.
French media had previously claimed that an 80-year-old couple were robbed by looters and left nearly naked in Place de la République in Paris. However, local media outlets reported that the incident was not confirmed by the Paris police.
Nevertheless, many social media users shared the photo believing it to be real.
Deputy Chairman of Durham County Council Darren Grimes described the image as horrifying and argued that those involved in the incidents should be punished. Fox News reporter Kevin Corke also described what happened as terrible in his post about the photo.
Macron did not accept the Interior Minister's resignation
French President Emmanuel Macron did not accept Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's resignation offer. Macron asked the minister to take new measures to end the barricades and looting incidents.
It was stated that Nuñez also needed to ensure transparency regarding the intelligence and security shortcomings that occurred before the incidents.