TikTok was banned for the first time since its existence on French soil. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced several measures on Wednesday May 15 in the face of violent riots in New Caledonia. After declaring a state of emergency in the overseas community, he declared that the Chinese social network would also be banned. The platform would be used by groups responsible for violence on the archipelago.
To legitimize his ban, Nicolas Hervieu, professor of public law at Science Po, reminds us that the Prime Minister relies on the 1955 law relating to the state of emergency – amended in 2017 – which provides that “ the Minister of the Interior may take any measure to ensure the interruption of any communication service to the public online, provoking the commission of acts of terrorism or advocating them “.
Questioned this morning by BFM TVEmmanuel Poinas, vice-president of the Nouméa court, declared that TikTok offers “ opportunities to disseminate information that is not necessarily reliable. As it stands, the dissemination of unreliable information can only increase the risk of unrest and riots. “.
TikTok used by opponents of the constitutional bill
On TikTok, many groups and opponents of the constitutional bill are launching calls for mobilization. So far, nothing illegal. Concerning the involvement of foreign powers, we come across some reactions calling for insurrection, coming from accounts linked to pan-African or African emancipation movements.
The company has not yet reacted to his ban.