The French leader called on social media giants to remove what he believes is the "most sensitive" content related to the ongoing riots. He slammed Snapchat and TikTok for allegedly promoting and inciting copycat acts of violence.
Video games weren't spared, as Macron suggested a link between them and the loss of touch with reality among some teenagers. According to him, younger rioters who joined the violence were "living the video games that have intoxicated them."
Macron later announced that the French government would collaborate with social media sites for this purpose. The government is also seeking ways to identify people who initiate calls for violence, though these discussions are still ongoing. (Related: Voters demand investigation of social media platforms.)
The civil unrest in France began after Nahel M., a 17-year-old driver of North African descent, was shot by a law enforcement officer at a police stop. Rioters then mobilized using social media, eventually taking to the streets to "express their outrage."
According to the Associated Press, Paris' concerns stem from personal information being shared online. An anonymous French official cited an example where the name and address of the police officer involved in the shooting were published online. Furthermore, prison officers had their professional cards shared, which could potentially jeopardize their safety and that of their families.
Social media sites being used as "scapegoats"
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said police made 917 arrests on June 29 alone. He added that more than 300 officers have been injured while attempting to quell the violence triggered by Nahel M.'s shooting.
According to the interior minister, he warned top executives of social media platforms that they cannot allow themselves to be used as channels for calls to violence. Darmanin later said that the platforms "were very cooperative."
On June 30, Darmanin said French authorities will provide social media companies with "as much information as possible." In return, the French government expects these platforms to get identities of people who incite violence. The interior minister assured that authorities will "pursue every person who uses these social networks to commit violent acts."
Political communications expert Philippe Moreau Chevrolet said technology has historically been used to coordinate demonstrations and protests. He also remarked that Paris would be misguided to blame tech companies and video games, as it demonstrates the French government's lack of understanding of the situation.
"Text messages used to be accused [of facilitating riots], now it's social networks," remarked Chevrolet. "Yellow Vests protests were blamed on Facebook."
Magda Boutros, a sociology scholar at the University of Washington, said: "There's clearly been a change, with more and more people adopting the reflex of filming the police. Above all, the activists' community is now able to quickly and widely circulate the videos."
Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Office urged France to address "the issues of racism and discrimination within its law enforcement system," referencing the death of Nahel M. at the hands of police.
Follow Rioting.news for more news about the ongoing riots in France.
Watch this segment from "Bannon's War Room" about the chaotic situation in France, with more than 900 arrested in connection with the riots.
This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.
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