French government has not restricted internet access to neighbourhoods in France

A press release appearing to be from the French government, claiming that the internet is being restricted in certain neighbourhoods across France, is being shared online. But the press release is fake. 

The posts share an image of what looks like a press release written in French from the Interior Ministry. The Interior Ministry is comparable to the Home Office in the UK and is the department of the French government that deals with emergency and crisis situations.

The fake press release, which is dated 2 July, says internet access will be restricted at night in certain neighbourhoods from 3 July. It says these “exceptional measures” are in order to prevent online platforms and social media being used to coordinate illegal activities and incite violence. 

This…