The French government has convened emergency meetings with major online platforms, including TikTok and eBay, to address the widespread rioting and looting that erupted over the weekend. Minister Anne Le Hananff called for stricter content moderation to prevent the resale of stolen goods, particularly through livestream videos. TikTok’s response was to issue an ‘evolving situation’ tag on searches related to protest terms, warning users about potential inaccuracies.

Meanwhile, a separate meeting with eBay, Amazon, Vinted, and other reselling platforms resulted in an agreement to crack down on the resale of looted items. These platforms will monitor ads for stolen goods and report findings to authorities. The French government aims to leverage these platforms to curb the spread of stolen items and encourage user reports to address the issue.

Peaceful demonstrations against high living costs and strained public services quickly escalated into rioting, with over 1,500 shops looted. Police admitted losing control in some areas and have arrested more than 2,400 suspects. French penal law imposes severe penalties for possessing stolen goods, and authorities warn that online marketplaces may see an influx of stolen merchandise.

Online retailers are relying on user reports, human oversight, and tech tools to identify and remove fake ads selling stolen goods. While these measures aim to address the issue, the effectiveness of relying on platforms to self-regulate is questionable, especially given the rapid spread of misinformation online during such events.