Context: The Commission called on platforms to take measures to limit the amplification of incitement to violence
In fact, the European Commission held discussions with the French authority Arcom regarding the risks posed by platforms and their algorithms. At a briefing on October 19, spokesperson Thomas Regnier announced close contacts with Arcom and another meeting with the French authorities that same day, while also clarifying that he had not confirmed the detection of any foreign manipulation operations, nor announced a formal investigation related to the protests; officials insisted that peaceful demonstrations must be protected and that enforcing the rules against incitement to violence falls within the obligations set out by the DSA.
Along the same lines of monitoring online manipulation, the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office subsequently opened an investigation into disinformation campaigns targeting two candidates in the 2027 presidential election. The investigation mentioned fabricated videos about Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, while the Viginum agency identified networks affiliated with Russia as possible suspects. In this regard, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that France would not tolerate foreign interference in the electoral process, citing attempts at destabilization by pro-Russian networks that allegedly targeted several candidates, along with the idea that platform regulation could reduce the risk of online manipulation.
