The digital regulator has requested the blocking of the American site WatchPeopleDie, “entirely dedicated to the dissemination of illicit, violent content that harms human dignity”, he told AFP on Monday, confirming information from the media l’Informed.
Arcom has summoned six internet service providers (Orange, Free, Free Mobile, SFR, SFR Fiber and Bouygues Télécom) before the Paris court “so that they take all measures to effectively prohibit access to the site in question from French territory within 7 days under penalty of 1000 euros per day of delay”, he detailed.
“This measure follows in particular requests to remove three videos showing acts of torture and barbarity, requests issued by the Anti-Crime Office (OFAC) and which remained unanswered,” the regulator also specified.
In the crosshairs of the independent authority for several months, the WatchPeopleDie website is known for hosting very violent videos such as fatal accidents, homicides or war scenes.
On its homepage, it claims more than 4.4 million registered users worldwide.
“This site has no place in France and I condemn the serious abuses of which it is guilty,” reacted to AFP the Minister for Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff, who welcomed this blocking request.
Questioned by AFP about this procedure, Free did not wish to comment, while SFR referred to the French Telecoms Federation. Orange and Bouygues Télécom did not immediately respond.
Arcom indicates that it bases its action on the basis of article 6-3 of the law for confidence in the digital economy (LCEN), which allows the courts to stop damage caused by the online distribution of content, or to require that measures be taken to prevent this damage.
It is on this same text that the former Minister of Digital Clara Chappaz took legal action in August against the live streaming platform Kick, after the platform broadcast scenes of mistreatment of the French streamer Jean Pormanove, until his death.
A hearing is also scheduled for Wednesday morning as part of this procedure at the Paris Judicial Court.
