Burak Bir
17 December 2025•Update: 17 December 2025
LONDON
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for stricter regulation of digital platforms after he said US social media company Facebook declined to remove an AI-generated video falsely claiming a coup in Paris.
Macron denounced what he described as the “powerlessness” of authorities in the face of online disinformation after the video, which alleged that a colonel had seized power in France, garnered more than 12 million views on Facebook.
Speaking during a meeting with readers of the regional daily La Provence in Marseille on Tuesday, Macron said the video had caused concern even among foreign diplomats.
He said he received an alarmed message from an African counterpart asking: “Dear President, what is happening in your country? I am very worried.”
Macron said he instructed his team to contact Facebook to request the removal of the content, but the company refused, saying the video did not violate its terms of service.
The episode marks the latest point of tension between European leaders and US-based social media companies following recent EU enforcement actions against major platforms.
On Dec. 5, the European Commission fined X €120 million (about $140 million) for breaching transparency obligations under the bloc’s Digital Services Act.
US President Donald Trump responded by warning Europe "to be very careful."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticized the fine, calling it an “attack” on American technology companies and the American people, while X owner Elon Musk described the penalty as “crazy” and “insane.”
