French police are actively utilizing social media to track down suspects who looted stores during nationwide protests over the past weekend, according to a report by AFP.

French police are analyzing videos and photos posted on various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Discord, to secure evidence of looting incidents and launch investigations.

A police officer stated, "We review social media and use our own investigative tools to verify whether the crime scenes appearing on social media match the cases we are investigating," adding that the identities of four young people who participated in looting in Paris have been confirmed.

He reportedly traced their movement routes using clues identified from traces left on social media, combined with CCTV cameras on the streets of Paris and cameras installed in the public transportation system.

Another police officer noted, "When suspects' faces appear in the videos, they cannot deny their crimes," adding, "While videos are not the sole means of solving cases, they are one of the very useful tools for investigators."

Authorities have also established a separate platform where people who witnessed crimes on the streets during the weekend unrest can upload videos they filmed themselves.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin stated, "Facial recognition technology will be utilized to cross-reference videos posted on social media with the criminal photo database held by the police."

To this end, about 200 investigators have been deployed, and a nation-level specialized investigative unit has been newly established.

French police stated, "We are closely examining all clues, including footage captured by security cameras and store interior cameras, as well as videos uploaded to social media."

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Kim Na-on | Design by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News