Paris:France has reportedly instructed telecom operators to prepare for the possible suspension of social media platforms in case of violence during protests expected this weekend.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu sent a letter to the representatives of major telecom companies Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues Telecom on Thursday. The letter asked these operators to be ready to temporarily block access to social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X, if violence erupts during the upcoming Yellow Vests protests.

In preparation for the protests, members of Prime Minister Lecornu's Cabinet held an online meeting with the legal directors of the telecom operators. The meeting minutes revealed that the government intends for any restrictions to be limited to cellphones and specific geographic areas. However, the telecom companies expressed concerns about the feasibility of implementing such measures in the short term.

The French government has not yet responded to the report by the online outlet Blast detailing these developments. Historical context shows that in 2024, the government had blocked access to TikTok during protests in New Caledonia, a decision later overturned by France's Council of State in 2025.

The Yellow Vests movement, which protests against the rising cost of living, has returned to the streets, with approximately 1,000 people detained amidst the demonstrations.