France considered blocking TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram during protests, but the plan failed due to operator pushback and lack of official authorization.
French government planned social media block
The French government had planned to restrict access to social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram during a protest on October 24, according to a leaked confidential letter.Officials communicated with telecom leaders
The letter, signed by Sébastien Lecornu, was sent to leaders of major mobile operators, including Christel Heydemann of Orange, Thomas Reynaud of Iliad, and others, on October 22. It outlined plans to use DNS filtering to block access to these platforms.DNS filtering method explained
DNS filtering involves modifying the directory that translates website names into server addresses, effectively preventing the apps from connecting to their servers. The government intended to block mobile connections (4G and 5G) while leaving home internet services like fiber and ADSL unaffected.Government cited security concerns
The government described the protest movements as being "fueled" by violent elements and accused social media platforms of facilitating violence during previous protests, such as organizing looting and sharing information about police positions.Legal basis for the measure
The government sought to implement the measure under the principle of proportionality and necessity, citing a decision by the Council of State from April 1, 2025, which had previously annulled a similar attempt to block TikTok in New Caledonia.Operators opposed the plan
Mobile operators expressed strong reservations about the plan. During a video conference on October 23, their lawyers argued that the proposal was too broad and could be easily bypassed using a virtual private network (VPN) or alternative messaging services.Operators requested official authorization
The operators requested a signed, dated, and motivated official document to authorize the block, with Orange even requesting a decree. Instead, the government issued a simple instruction without an official gazette, with a communiqué released about thirty minutes before the planned activation around 2 p.m.No blockage occurred on October 24
No blockage was triggered on October 24, and the protest proceeded in a relatively calm manner. The Ministry of the Interior reported that approximately 400,000 people attended the event, while the CGT union estimated the number at 800,000.Uncertainty about future actions
The question remains whether the government might consider similar measures in future mobilizations, given the existing standby arrangements in place at the operators.
