Key facts
- Attal proposed selectively blocking social media access during riots.
- Measures would be temporary and limited to riot-affected areas.
- France's highest administrative court previously ruled a similar suspension disproportionate.
- France's Constitutional Council blocked a bill to ban social media for under-15s.
French presidential candidate Gabriel Attal has reiterated his proposal to grant the government the authority to selectively block social media platforms during periods of civil unrest. Attal, who previously served as prime minister and now leads President Emmanuel Macron's political party, stated in an interview with RTL that such measures should be temporary and geographically restricted to areas experiencing riots. He argued that the visibility of looting on social media can encourage further participation. This stance comes in the wake of widespread protests across France over the weekend, which saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets. While many demonstrations were peaceful, some devolved into violence, leading to approximately 2,000 arrests according to the interior ministry. Attal's proposal faces potential legal challenges, as a similar suspension of TikTok access in New Caledonia during his premiership in 2024 was deemed a disproportionate infringement of rights by France's highest administrative court. Furthermore, the Constitutional Council recently blocked legislation aimed at banning social media for individuals under 15, citing a violation of freedom of expression.