Key facts
- The French government explored blocking social networks and mobile internet during protests.
- The interior ministry contacted telecom operators in the week leading up to Oct. 24.
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu requested telecom operators be ready to block access to TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X.
- The government's aim was to prevent rioters from coordinating.
- Blocking social networks in a targeted area is not technically possible.
- Cutting mobile internet access would cause major disruptions to other services.
The French government explored blocking social networks and mobile internet during protests in the week leading up to Oct. 24, two people familiar with the plan told POLITICO. The interior ministry contacted telecom operators to examine ways of restricting access to prevent rioters from coordinating, according to one government official and one telecom employee. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked French telecom operators to be ready to block access to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X. Officials from Lecornu's office, the technology ministry and the interior ministry did not deny the move or the existence of the letter. The government feared a repeat of violence seen on Oct. 17, though fewer incidents were recorded on Oct. 24. A telecom provider employee stated the goal was to block communication channels used by gangs to organize, but acknowledged this would also affect peaceful protesters. Blocking social networks in a specific area is not technically feasible, and cutting mobile internet would disrupt essential services like payments and emergency communications. A less drastic solution considered was disabling geolocation features to prevent unauthorized gatherings.