Agora Forum InCyber Between freedom of expression and security requirements, how should social networks be regulated?

On the subject of regulation of the Internet, one minister said that what is forbidden in the street should also be forbidden online. The notion of public order, designed to regulate the physical public space, needs to be extended to the virtual space, with the difficulty that arises from the extraterritoriality of the Internet, when it comes into conflict with regalian powers. Because it carries content, the web is a creator of meaning, false meaning and nonsense. Words and images create emotions, impulses and invasions of privacy. Because of the way they are distributed and their spontaneity, social networks can bring out the best and the worst.

Never has their responsibility been so much in the spotlight as during the recent urban riots in France. The idea of « cutting » social networks on an ad hoc basis was even considered at the highest levels of government. So what’s really going on? Social networks, which act as formidable amplifiers, present a de facto systemic risk because of the virality of their content.

They undoubtedly contributed to the outbreak of violence in France. Some of their features also undoubtedly facilitated the coordination and grouping of rioters, such as the « snap map », which shows in real time on Snapchat the places where the most videos were posted. But the blame that is being laid at their door is undoubtedly a bit wide of the mark: didn’t they ultimately also contribute to de-escalation by broadcasting content that deeply shocked a section of public opinion?