France's top court strikes down social media ban for under-15s

France's highest court has blocked a law that would have prohibited social media access for individuals under 15. The Constitutional Council ruled on Thursday that the ban excessively infringes upon freedom of expression and communication. The council deemed the prohibition too sweeping, failing to consider individual circumstances or the varying risks associated with different platforms.

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It infringes upon freedom of expression, freedom of communication.

While acknowledging the constitutional imperative to protect children, the council found that the law's broad scope could regulate even services without proven risks. The legislation, which had passed parliament in July, would have restricted access to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, as well as social features in online video games and YouTube. Exceptions for educational or scientific use were deemed too limited.

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It is too comprehensive to consider the situation of individual minors or the risks of each platform.

Furthermore, the council raised privacy concerns regarding a provision that mandated age verification systems for all users. It stated that lawmakers had not sufficiently clarified the conditions and limits of age verification, thus failing to provide necessary legal safeguards for personal data protection.

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The President has instructed the Prime Minister to prepare a draft law as soon as possible, taking into account the decision of the Constitutional Council and the legal framework of the European Union.

President Emmanuel Macron, who had championed the ban as a key campaign promise, has vowed to pursue the reform. The Élysée Palace announced that Macron has instructed the prime minister to draft new legislation promptly, taking into account the council's ruling and European Union legal standards. The government aims to complete this reform by the spring of 2027.

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We will complete this reform by the spring of 2027.