French government mulled blocking social networks and mobile internet amid protests

PARIS — The French government explored ways of blocking social networks during last Saturday's protests, two people familiar with the plan told POLITICO. In the week leading up to Oct. 24, the French interior ministry was in touch with telecom operators to explore ways of cutting access to social networks or even to mobile internet in specific areas to prevent rioters from coordinating, according to one government official from the Prime Minister's office and one employee of a telecom company.