Sun 25 October 2026:
France has reportedly asked telecom operators to be prepared to suspend access to social media platforms in the event of potential violence during protests this weekend, according to media reports.
French online outlet Blast said that Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu sent a letter Thursday to representatives of Orange, SFR, Free and Bouygues Telecom ahead of Saturday’s Yellow Vests protests.
The letter reportedly asked the operators to be ready to temporarily block access to social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X, in the event of violence during the demonstrations.
Members of Lecornu’s Cabinet and the operators’ legal directors also met online in the runup to the weekend protests.
According to the meeting minutes, the government wanted any restrictions on access to the platforms to be limited to cellphones and specific areas.
The operators expressed reservations about the government’s request and said they lacked the capacity to implement the measures in the short term.
The government has not yet responded to Blast’s report.
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In 2024, the French government blocked access to TikTok during protests in New Caledonia. In 2025, France’s Council of State overturned the government’s decision to restrict access to the platform in the territory.
The Yellow Vests movement returned to the streets on Saturday to protest the rising cost of living.
Nearly 1,000 people have been arrested across France during Saturday’s demonstrations over rising living costs and poor education standards, with the figure expected to rise, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.
Nunez said the demonstrations had largely proceeded as anticipated, but groups considered at risk of causing trouble had broken away from marches and sought to damage property and attack security forces.
“Law enforcement intervened systematically in response to these acts, which were numerous, involving projectile throwing and mortar fire,” he said.
The minister said the number of arrests was significantly higher than the 385 recorded at the same point during demonstrations last weekend.
Nunez said shops in city centers were protected, although some businesses were looted in certain cities. He described the situation in this regard as better than last week.
Police, the minister said, also seized a large number of items that could be used as weapons, praising the effectiveness of the security operation.
Nunez said two people were seriously injured, one in Clermont-Ferrand and the other in Toulouse.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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