🔒French PM Preps Social Media Shutdown for October 24 Manifestation
French PM Preps Social Media Shutdown for October 24
TL;DR
French Prime Minister requests social media shutdown on October 24 ahead of a planned manifestation. Operators express doubts, citing past disavowals by the Council of State.
French Prime Minister plans to cut off access to TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X on October 24, two days before a planned manifestation. The move aims to curb potential unrest but faces skepticism from telecom operators who have previously expressed doubts about such measures. The government had previously used similar tactics in New Caledonia in 2024, only to be disavowed by the Council of State. Telecom operators Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues Telecom were asked to prepare for the shutdown, raising questions about the legality and effectiveness of such actions.

Key Points
French Prime Minister requests social media shutdown on October 24, targeting TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X.
Telecom operators Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues Telecom were asked to prepare for the shutdown.
Operators express doubts about the measure, citing past disavowals by the Council of State in 2024.
The government had previously used similar tactics in New Caledonia in 2024, only to face legal challenges.
The planned manifestation is scheduled for October 24, two days after the Prime Minister's request.
Why It Matters
The French Prime Minister's request to cut off social media access on October 24 ahead of a planned manifestation raises significant legal and ethical questions. Telecom operators, who were asked to prepare for the shutdown, have previously expressed doubts about such measures. This could impact the ability of protesters to organize and communicate, potentially stifling free speech. The precedent set by the Council of State disavowing similar measures in 2024 further complicates the legality of this action.
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