Phrase spreads among protesters

The phrase "Bismillah c'est les ténèbres" has appeared on banners, walls, and stickers across France since the start of high school protests. It is attributed to a police officer who tried to infiltrate a Snapchat group of teenagers by pretending to be one of them. The attempt, described as crude and somewhat racist, quickly spread online and became a rallying cry for protesters.

Phrase used beyond France

The phrase was heard in the mouth of Greta Thunberg and in youth demonstrations in Bologna, Italy. Other supposed police officers have also tried to blend in with protesters, according to screenshots from X and TikTok of Snapchat conversations. One user, Youssef, wrote to a high school student using slang and asking about a protest plan. Another user used vulgar language to inquire about the details of a planned protest.

Snapchat's origins and growth

Snapchat, launched in 2011 by three American students, was created after the social downfall of Anthony Weiner, a New York politician. The app allows users to send messages and images that disappear after a short time. It became popular among teenagers, and a 2025 study showed it is now the preferred social media platform for 13-24 year olds.

Snapchat's communication model

Snapchat was built against Facebook's model, which encourages users to present an ideal self. In contrast, Snapchat allows users to share more casual and authentic moments, such as funny images or small failures. According to Sophie Jehel, a professor of information and communication sciences, the app's design focuses on this aspect of sharing the unpolished side of life.

Snapchat's features and appeal

Snapchat's features that attract teenagers include streaks, which count consecutive days of communication with a friend, and Snap scores, which rank "best friends." These features create a sense of measurable friendship and are part of the app's appeal. Véronique Reille Soult, an expert in reputation strategy, notes that these elements are central to the app's popularity among young users.

Snapchat's role in protests

Snapchat's features, such as group conversations and the Snap Map, allow users to organize and locate each other during protests. The app enables a quick shift from social interaction to collective action without formal organization. During the weekends of October 17 and 18, it likely played a role in encouraging participation in protests through a sense of group belonging and shared activity.

Political response to Snapchat

The app has become a resonance chamber for assertive teenagers, drawing criticism from politicians like Gabriel Attal, who called for temporarily blocking access to certain platforms. He had previously blocked TikTok in New Caledonia in 2024, but the measure was ruled illegal in 2025. A ban would mainly affect the police, as some Snapchat users filmed protests and sold stolen goods during the October weekends.