French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reportedly asked the country’s four largest telecommunications providers to prepare for the possibility of temporarily blocking access to major social media platforms ahead of planned demonstrations.
According to French investigative outlet Blast, the government contacted Orange, SFR, Free and Bouygues Telecom, requesting that they remain on standby to restrict access to TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X.
The outlet reported that it had obtained a letter sent by the prime minister to the telecommunications companies, along with minutes from a subsequent meeting.
Possible social media blackout during protests
According to the investigation, the French government requested the preparation of technical procedures that would allow access to the four platforms to be temporarily suspended if an official order were issued.
The proposed restrictions would reportedly have lasted several hours during the weekend of 24–25 October, coinciding with planned demonstrations across France.
The telecommunications providers are understood to have expressed reservations about the proposal.
The reported preparations have raised questions about the potential impact of such measures on freedom of expression and access to information during public demonstrations.
Government increases cooperation with digital platforms
The revelations come just one day after the French government officially announced stronger cooperation with digital platforms ahead of the protests.
On 23 October, the prime minister’s office at Matignon announced that more than 100 reports concerning social media accounts and online content had been submitted in connection with the demonstrations.
Approximately half of those reports had reportedly resulted in account suspensions.
The developments highlight the government’s increasing attention to online activity during periods of public unrest.
Previous TikTok ban ruled unlawful
The issue also carries significant legal implications.
In 2024, the French government imposed restrictions on TikTok in New Caledonia amid unrest in the French overseas territory.
However, France’s Council of State subsequently ruled the measure unlawful, finding that the strict legal requirements of necessity and proportionality had not been satisfied.
That decision established an important legal precedent regarding government restrictions on social media access.
The latest allegations could therefore renew debate over the limits of state intervention in digital communications, particularly during periods of political tension and mass demonstrations.
Source: Proto Thema, citing French investigative outlet Blast.
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