Inside France’s Extremism Hotline: Rising Threats and Younger Cases
A decade after the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks, France’s national extremism hotline is seeing radicalisation diversify beyond Islamist networks, with increasingly younger individuals becoming involved, FRANCE 24 reports. Housed within the French Interior Ministry, the hotline was established in April 2014 to allow parents, teachers, friends, an
d colleagues to report individuals they fear may pose a security risk. Since its creation, the service has received more than 108,000 calls. “The platform was initially focused solely on Islamist extremism,” said Pascale, a reserve officer who spent five years running the hotline. “Today, we cover all types of radicalisation, including far-right, far-left, incel, and survivalist movements.” Calls are handled anonymously, with hotline staff gathering as much information as possible before passing it to analysts and intelligence teams to assess potential risks. The service also offers psychological support to families struggling to cope with radicalisation. Cases increasingly involve minors. Carine Vialatte, head of the Counter-terrorism Support Unit (UCLAT), said the proportion of minors monitored for terrorist-related radicalisation has tripled between 2020 and 2025. The hotline has also faced new challenges as radicalisation happens faster, often via social media, with some individuals unknown to intelligence services. One notable case involved a young Frenchman radicalised by extreme far-right, pro-Putin content who later travelled to the Donbas to join Russian forces. While France’s extremist threat has diversified, officials emphasise the hotline’s primary role remains prevention. By intervening early, offering guidance to families, and maintaining links with at-risk individuals, authorities hope to reduce the risk of radicalisation turning into violent action.
