France blocks social media ban for under-15s

Denying access to platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube for under-15s would infringe upon freedom of expression, the Constitutional Council has said.

The bill would have barred children younger than 15 from opening a social media account from September 1. Accounts already open would be closed ‌within four months ⁠by social ⁠media platforms, which would also need to use age verification approved by the French privacy regulator.

The Constitutional Council found that Article 1 of the legislation "constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate" to the freedom of expression and communication of those under 15.