France asked ISPs to prepare temporary DNS blocks for major social platforms

What happened

Two days before a protest on October 24, the French Prime Minister asked Orange, SFR, Free and Bouygues Telecom to be ready to cut off access to TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X. Blast published the letter and the notes from the meeting that followed. In that meeting, the internet companies said they had doubts.

Key facts

• Four internet providers were asked to prepare: Orange, SFR, Free and Bouygues Telecom.
• Four social apps were named: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X.
• The request was made two days before a protest on October 24.
• The same kind of block was used in New Caledonia in 2024.

Why this tool is controversial

A DNS block stops your device from finding a website or app by its name, so the app stops working for users in that country. The article says the government used this method in New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific, in 2024. The Council of State, France's highest administrative court, later overruled that decision. The article calls the measure a threat to freedom.

Why it matters

Blocking major apps during a protest would affect millions of people who use them every day. It raises questions about free speech and whether the government can limit online access. The internet companies' doubts show that the plan is not simple to carry out.

What to watch

• Whether the government goes ahead with the block or drops the plan.
• How the four internet providers respond in public.
• Whether any court challenges the measure if it is used.