Macron floats social media cuts during riots

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron told mayors on Tuesday that one option when riots are out of control could be to cut access to social media platforms such as Snapchat and TikTok, according to footage of his speech seen by POLITICO.

“We need to think about the use of these networks by the youth … and about the bans that need to be put in place. And I say this very clearly, because they change the way young people relate to reality,” Macron said at a gathering at the Elysée Palace with some 250 mayors of cities targeted during the riots.

“And [we need to think about] the decisions we make, including administrative decisions, when things get out of hand, so that at some point we can say we’re in a position to regulate or cut them off. It’s important not to do it in the heat of the moment, and I’m glad we didn’t have to, but it’s a real debate we need to have when things cool down,” he added.

French news channel BFMTV first reported on the president’s comments, which attracted criticism for echoing measures taken by authoritarian regimes such as China and Iran.

The killing of a 17-year-old of North African descent by a police officer last week threw France into chaos, sparking violent demonstrations across the country and reigniting long-simmering tensions between youths and the police, who have been accused of brutality and racial discrimination. In the past week, rioters have looted stores, targeted schools, police stations, libraries and other public buildings.

Last week, Macron blamed social media platforms and video games for adding fuel to the fire.

Backpedaling

On Wednesday, the French government tried to downplay Macron’s remarks about potentially cutting social media during unrest.

“The president said it was technically possible, but not that it was being considered. Nothing should be ruled out on principle,” a French official from Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s team, who was granted anonymity as they’re not allowed to speak publicly, told POLITICO.

The government didn’t discuss the option with platforms when they met on Friday to talk about content moderation and cooperation with the justice system during the turmoil, the official added. Barrot told senators Tuesday evening that the executive branch was satisfied with the tech companies’ reactivity in removing content, blocking accounts and providing information to law enforcement.

Asked about Macron’s comments during a press conference on Wednesday, government spokesman Olivier Véran said there could be temporary “suspensions of functionalities, such as geolocation, which allows users to find themselves in such and such a place, to show such and such a scene.” Snapchat’s mapping tool was reportedly widely used by rioters to organize themselves.

Macron’s remarks on potential social media cuts drew criticism from across the political spectrum, including from his own allies. Leaders from the Socialists and the conservative party Les Républicains made comparisons with authoritarian regimes such as Iran, China and Russia. “OK Kim Jong Un,” tweeted MP Mathilde Panot from the left-wing France Unbowed.

Eric Bothorel, an MP from Macron’s Renaissance party who works on tech policy, also spoke out against the potential clampdown. “This would mean abandoning the idea that democracy is stronger than the tools used against it. That would be a mistake,” he tweeted.

France has endorsed several U.N. resolutions condemning internet cuts by governments, including one in 2021 against “using internet shutdowns to intentionally and arbitrarily prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online.”

In the wake of the riots, some French lawmakers this week have tried to tighten the screws on social media platforms during votes on France’s tech bill, which is currently under discussion in the parliament.

Senator Patrick Chaize from Les Républicains has pushed for online platforms to remove violent content flagged by the authorities within two hours when the country is plagued by riots or social movements. He agreed to withdraw his amendment but made the government promise rules for social media during riots would be reworked would be reworked and presented at the National Assembly in the fall.

Océane Herrero contributed reporting.