Emmanuel Macron plans to cut social networks in the event of a serious crisis

The speech is clear and does not lend itself to interpretation: “We need to have a reflection on the use of social networks among the youngest. […] On the prohibitions that we must put. » declared the head of state Emmanuel Macron following the urban riots of recent days. “And when things get out of hand, you may have to put yourself in a position to regulate them or cut them off. Above all, you shouldn’t do it in a hurry, and I’m glad we didn’t have to do it.” added the French President. “But I think it’s a real debate that we have to have, cold. Because when it becomes an instrument of rallying or trying to kill, it’s a real subject.. We learn along the way that using social networks as a “gathering tool” now borders on the crime.

Whatever the justifications provided, it is clear that France is in the process of acquiring one of the toughest internet control arsenals in the world. France is already one of the very few countries in which an online identity check will be carried out for the right to visit pornographic sites (and we already know that this check will be extended to other types of sites ), ARCOM will also have cut-off rights which previously were the prerogative of the judge, and now it is therefore envisaged to be able to cut off access to social networks in the event of a major crisis. It should be noted, however, that the political opposition has generally risen up against what it considers to be yet another authoritarian drift by the power in place.

If we add to this a police management of public demonstrations severely judged by the UN and human rights NGOs, the overall impression gives a bitter taste in the mouth… As a reminder, in the list of the few countries that use and abuse the right to shut down the Internet and social networks, we find in particular China, Iran and even Russia.