French Council of State Questions TikTok Ban in New Caledonia

A legal report finds the suspension of TikTok during violent riots in May 2024 disproportionate and lacking alternative measures.

The Council of State's legal report criticized the French government's temporary TikTok ban in New Caledonia last May, citing disproportionate interference with freedom of expression.
The ban, implemented by then-Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, aimed to curb coordination among rioters during deadly unrest over electoral reforms.
The report highlighted the government's failure to explore less restrictive alternatives, such as engaging directly with TikTok to address concerns.
Concerns about potential foreign interference, particularly from Azerbaijan, were cited as additional justification for the ban at the time.
This case marks the first time the Council of State evaluates the overlap of 'state of emergency' and 'exceptional circumstances' legal frameworks, raising broader questions about executive power limits.