Why Did France Ban TikTok in Pacific New Caledonia?

A Kanak flag waving next to a burning vehicle at an independantist roadblock at La Tamoa, in the commune of Paita, France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia on May 19, 2024. Delphine Mayeur / AFP

France has taken the dramatic step of blocking TikTok in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia as part of efforts to quell days of violent unrest.

It is the latest clash between democratic governments and the Chinese-owned social media platform.

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