France has imposed a state of emergency in New Caledonia in response to protests and riots, leading to a ban on TikTok as authorities seek to stabilize the region. The French government has taken these measures to address the unrest that erupted after a contentious vote extending voting rights in the territory’s provincial elections and is the latest example of a government restricting internet access as a means to control citizens.
The local government representative in New Caledonia, under the directive of the newly declared state of emergency, took the significant step of banning TikTok, citing public safety concerns. This action was part of broader measures that included increased powers for security forces such as house detentions, weapon seizures, and restrictions on movement to prevent further disorder.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the necessity of these measures, stating, “No violence will be tolerated,” and highlighted the deployment of troops to secure critical infrastructure like ports and the international airport, which is already closed to international flights. The announcement followed shortly after the death of a French gendarme injured in the riots, bringing the death toll to four, as confirmed by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.
