France blocks under-15 social media ban over freedom of expression fears
France's top court has blocked a controversial law aimed at banning social media for children under 15. This ruling temporarily spares internet users from a subsequent planned crackdown on virtual private networks.
France's highest court has ruled against a controversial bill that would have banned social media access for children under the age of 15, striking down the legislation on August 14. The Constitutional Council, France's highest constitutional authority, determined that the proposed ban disproportionately infringed on freedom of expression and raised significant privacy concerns for all French internet users.
The bill, set to take effect in September, would have required adults to disclose sensitive personal data to access everyday online platforms, prompting concerns among privacy advocates and cybersecurity enthusiasts. The court also warned that enforcing the ban would necessitate widespread identity checks, further compromising citizens' right to privacy.
While the immediate threat to VPN usage in France has been halted, President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to pursue a new legal framework that balances the need for online safety with the protection of digital privacy rights.
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