The ban on the social network TikTok in New Caledonia has been lifted, the authorities of the French archipelago in the South Pacific announced this Wednesday, after having imposed the measure two weeks ago to limit contacts between protesters.
“After the end of the state of emergency in the territory, on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, the The ban on the TikTok platform has been lifted.“, declared the French High Commissioner in the archipelago in a statement, noting that the curfew remains in force.
Unrest in New Caledonia prompts French president to declare state of emergency
The TikTok ban was made possible by the declaration of a state of emergency on May 15 and the presence of a single telecommunications operator in the country.
The government considered that the social network, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, was one of the privileged means of communication between groups that committed acts of nighttime violence.
Furthermore, the ban arose in a context of fears of interference and misinformation on social media by foreign countries seeking to fuel tensions, according to government and security sources, citing China or Azerbaijan.
On Thursday, the French Council of State confirmed the blocking of the social network, taking into account the “limited and temporary nature of the measure” as well as “the public interest in restoring security.”
The organization also noted that “other social networks and media remain accessible.”
The French League for Human Rights, the Quadrature du Net association and three residents of New Caledonia filed an appeal against the decision on May 17, arguing that the blockade constituted a serious violation of freedoms of communication and information.
The Council of State rejected the request “due to lack of urgency.”
Around 3,500 security forces are expected to be deployed in the archipelago.
The crisis began when a new bill adopted in Paris was presented that determines that residents who have lived in the archipelago for 10 years will be able to vote in local elections.
Local political leaders, including independence advocates, fear the new measure will weaken the natives of New Caledonia.
Macron rejects a new referendum on the independence of New Caledonia
For now, There is no end in sight to the political crisisalthough in recent nights a relative calm has returned.
The crisis was marked by the deaths of seven people, including two gendarmes, widespread damage and blockades that cut off main roads.
Although the state of emergency was lifted on Tuesday, the High Commissioner highlighted this Wednesday that “the measures to prohibit meetings, the sale and transportation of weapons and the sale of alcohol, as well as the mandatory curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 in the morning, they will remain throughout the country.”
Source: Observadora
