According to the European edition of "Politico News Network" reported on July 5 local time, French President Emmanuel Macron said on July 4 that if the recent riots get out of control, cutting off access to social media platforms such as Snapchat and TikTok may become a response option.
In response to this remark, French government officials then came out to "downplay", pointing out that Macron only said that this approach is technically feasible, and did not explicitly indicate that it was being considered. At the same time, the French government did not mention this option when discussing with social media platforms during the riots, and may only "temporarily suspend some geolocation functions."
However, Macron's remarks also drew criticism from French political circles, with some attacking the approach as "authoritarian" and "anti-democracy."
Screenshot of the European edition of Politico News Network
According to reports, Macron said at a meeting with about 250 mayors of cities in turmoil at the Elysee Palace on the 4th: "We need to consider the use of these networks by young people... and the prohibitions that need to be imposed. I make it clear because these change the relationship of young people with reality. ”
"When things get out of hand, (we need to consider) the decisions we make, including administrative decisions, so that at some point we can say, we have the ability to regulate or cut them off." It's important not to do it in the most intense moments, and I'm glad we don't have to, but when things cool down, we need to have a real debate. Macron added.
Earlier, demonstrations and riots broke out in France since June 27 because "French police shot and killed a 17-year-old boy", which lasted for more than a week. Young people and even minors took to the streets, and Macron last week accused social media, short videos and online games of "adding fuel to the fire" in the riots.
Police step up security patrols near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, on July 2. The picture is from The Paper
On the 5th, French government officials tried to downplay Macron's remarks about the possible cutting off of social media during the riots. An unnamed official of France's digital minister's team told Politico News Network Europe that Macron only said that it was technically possible to do so, but did not say that it was being considered and that nothing should be ruled out in principle.
The official added that last Friday (June 30), the French government did not discuss (cut off) this option with the platform when it met with the social media platform to talk about content moderation and cooperation with the judicial system during the riots. French Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on the evening of the 4th that the executive department was satisfied with the response of technology companies in deleting content, blocking accounts and providing information to law enforcement.
At a press conference on the 5th, when asked about Macron's remarks, French government spokesman Olivier Véran said that the government may temporarily "suspend some functions, such as geolocation, allowing users to find where they are, where to show scenes, etc." The map tool in the Snapchat app is reportedly widely used by some rioters.
At the same time, Macron's remarks drew criticism from across French politics, including his allies, who criticized what he referred to as "authoritarianism" and Eric Bothorel, a member of parliament for his party's Ennahda party, who spoke out against the "potential move" as a "abandonment of democracy."
In the wake of the unrest, some French lawmakers have reportedly tried this week to tighten restrictions on social media platforms when voting on France's technology bill, which is currently being discussed in parliament.
On July 4, Macron met with mayors at the Elysee Palace. The picture is from The Paper
At a meeting with many mayors on the 4th, Macron said that the "peak" of riots in France has passed, but it is still necessary to be cautious as to whether calm will be permanently restored. During a surprise visit to the Paris police headquarters the night before, he said the country would still face a test on July 13 or 14, the eve and day of France's National Day, and even in the coming months.
Macron also announced an "emergency legislation" on the 4th to speed up the reconstruction of public infrastructure damaged in the riots.
According to data released by the French Ministry of the Interior on the 4th, in the past 24 hours, nighttime violence in French cities has been halved in the past 24 hours, and dozens of buildings have been damaged, including four police or gendarmerie offices attacked, but no casualties have been caused; More than 150 cars were set on fire and hundreds of bins or other public areas were set on fire.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 5,900 vehicles have been burned and 1,100 buildings damaged to varying degrees throughout France since the riots began on June 27, and 270 attacks on police stations and gendarmerie units have been recorded. French law enforcement arrested a total of 3,490 people.
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