French government mulled blocking social networks and mobile internet amid protests

The French government considered blocking social networks during protests on October 24th, according to two sources familiar with the plan. The French interior ministry communicated with telecom operators about cutting access to social networks or mobile internet in specific areas, according to a Prime Minister’s office official and a telecom employee.

The plan reached a peak when Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked telecom operators to be ready to block access to TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X, as revealed by French digital outlet Blast. Officials from Lecornu’s office, the technology ministry and the interior ministry confirmed the move and existence of the letter. The government feared a repeat or escalation of violence from October 17, but incidents were fewer on the 24th.

The aim was to block communication channels used by gangs to organize. However, such a move would also hinder peaceful protesters from communicating. Cutting access to social networks in a specific area is technically impossible, while blocking mobile internet would disrupt other services such as mobile payments, security-surveillance devices and emergency communications.

An alternative plan was discussed to disable geolocation display features to prevent gatherings of strangers. The "who breaks pays" bill is also under debate, which would hold people financially responsible for rioting if they "knowingly took part," regardless of property damage. The bill requires platforms to remove within 24 hours content that incites violence or other illegal activities, and within one hour content that encourages insurrection.

Other lawmakers propose tracking troublemakers via algorithmic video surveillance and penalizing online marketplaces that fail to prevent the sale of stolen goods.