French authorities have called major technology companies into emergency talks as violent unrest continues across the country. The government wants social media platforms to restrict content encouraging criminal activity while preventing stolen merchandise from being sold through online marketplaces.
Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hénanff convened representatives of six technology companies on Tuesday, October 20, following several days of rioting, vandalism and widespread looting. Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, and TikTok were among the companies involved in discussions about their responsibilities during the unrest.
Officials urged platforms to strengthen moderation of livestreams, violent footage, posts encouraging illegal activity, and messages promoting violations of local curfews. They also raised concerns about manipulated images and AI-generated videos that could mislead viewers or intensify tensions.
The intervention follows nationwide demonstrations over rising living costs and public services, including education. Protests escalated into serious violence over the weekend, with authorities reporting more than 2,400 arrests and extensive damage to businesses.
Social media has played a prominent role in documenting and spreading footage of the disturbances. Videos showing clashes with police, damaged businesses, and looting have attracted millions of views, while online messages are promoting further demonstrations scheduled for October 24.
Some widely circulated images have also proved misleading. AI-generated pictures depicting fictional incidents during the riots have spread across social networks, complicating efforts to distinguish authentic footage from fabricated material.
Separately, the French government has reached an agreement with online marketplaces to tackle the resale of stolen goods. Representatives of Vinted, eBay, Amazon, Leboncoin, Meta and TikTok participated in discussions about identifying suspicious listings and cooperating with investigators.
Under the agreement, participating platforms will monitor advertisements potentially linked to looted merchandise, share relevant reports with authorities and provide updates on their enforcement efforts. Vinted has already confirmed that it increased checks and removed listings suspected of involving stolen property.
The government’s approach has also prompted debate about restricting access to social networks. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal suggested temporary, targeted platform shutdowns in areas experiencing serious violence, arguing that online services can contribute to the spread of unrest.
However, participants indicated that social media blackouts were not discussed during Tuesday’s meeting. Authorities have instead focused on content moderation and cooperation with technology companies.