The French legal framework protects the privacy of every individual, including that of elected officials and political figures. Amine El Khatmi, former president of the Printemps républicain and municipal councilor of Avignon, is frequently the subject of searches linking his name to terms like “wife” or “partner.” Addressing this topic requires a rigor that most online content does not adhere to.
Article 9 of the Civil Code and the right to one’s image: the applicable foundation for Amine El Khatmi
Article 9 of the Civil Code establishes an absolute principle: everyone has the right to respect for their private life. This text does not distinguish between anonymous citizens and public figures. The protection covers the identity of the spouse, family relationships, home, and personal choices.
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The case law of the ECHR, particularly the Von Hannover v. Germany rulings, has clarified that even public figures retain a “core” of private life. The disclosure of information related to this core is only lawful if it meets a clear public interest need, not mere curiosity.
For a local elected official or a political essayist like Khatmi, the margin is even narrower than for a head of state. His role as a municipal councilor and his position within the Printemps républicain justify an examination of his stances on secularism, the Republic, or education. Nothing in these roles legitimizes the identification of his partner or close ones.
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When we discuss the private life of Amine El Khatmi and his partner, we apply this filter: does the information serve public debate or merely feed voyeurism?
Editorial charters and CNIL recommendations: concrete safeguards
Several major French press groups have updated their internal editorial charters following the controversies of 2022-2023 related to the media exposure of elected officials’ families. These charters now recommend not to identify or accurately describe the spouse of a political figure without their explicit consent.
Since 2022, the CNIL has published increasingly firm recommendations regarding the dissemination of images and information concerning the relatives of public figures on social media. The consent of the individuals involved is presented as a central condition, even when the content comes from public accounts or video platforms.
Criteria to verify before publication
- Has the mentioned person given their agreement, even tacitly, to the exposure of their identity? The absence of a denial does not equate to consent.
- Does the information pertain to a demonstrable public interest (conflict of interest, ethical breach) or does it merely satisfy curiosity?
- Is the source verifiable and direct, or does it rely on rumors, undated screenshots, or anonymous testimonies?
- Does the content respect the principle of proportionality: publishing the minimum necessary for understanding the identified public interest topic.
These criteria apply equally to traditional media as well as blogs and social networks. The responsibility of the publisher is engaged in all cases.
The right to be forgotten and social networks: uncontrolled propagation
The specific issue with searches for “Amine El Khatmi wife” lies in the algorithmic dynamics. Search engines and platforms amplify popular queries, creating a cycle where curiosity generates content that further fuels curiosity.
The right to be forgotten, recognized by the CJEU and regulated by the GDPR, allows any individual to request the delisting of content that infringes on their privacy. The relatives of a political figure can exercise this right regardless of the official’s notoriety.
We observe a growing trend among editorial teams to refuse to publish indexable content about the spouse of an elected official when that person has no public role. This approach limits the material available for aggregators and gradually reduces the volume of irrelevant results.
Freedom of expression and political figures: where to draw the line
Freedom of expression protects political commentary, criticism of Amine El Khatmi’s positions on secularism, the Republic, or national politics. His media appearances on CNews, his stances on religion in public space, and his remarks on national education fall within legitimate debate.
The line is drawn where information leaves the realm of public functions to enter into intimacy. Some concrete markers:
- Commenting on an article by El Khatmi on the separatism law: a normal exercise of freedom of expression.
- Analyzing a potential conflict of interest related to his role on the municipal council of Avignon: legitimate if supported by documents.
- Publishing the name, photo, or profession of his partner without connection to the exercise of his functions: a clear violation of the right to privacy.
The sanctions provided by French law are deterrent. The judicial court can order the removal of content, award damages, and impose a daily fine for delays.
The role of the editor in response to search queries
A high search volume for a query does not create an editorial obligation to respond. The fact that internet users search for “Amine El Khatmi wife” does not legitimize the production of speculative content on the subject. We recommend redirecting attention to what pertains to the public mandate: positions within the Printemps républicain, interventions at the Grand Avignon community council, contributions to the debate on secularism in the Republic.
The discretion of a political couple requires neither explanation nor justification. Silence regarding the private life of an elected official is the default position, not an exception to be justified. Any deviation from this rule must be based on an identifiable, documented, and proportionate public interest.