France passes law banning social media for under‑15s

Paris – A new French law slated to take effect in January will obligate all social‑media platforms operating in the country to verify the age of every user before granting access to their services. The legislation, passed by the National Assembly earlier this year, aims to curb the exposure of minors to harmful content and to enforce existing regulations on online advertising and data collection. Under the law, platforms must implement robust age‑verification mechanisms—such as government‑issued ID checks or certified third‑party solutions—and retain proof of compliance for audit by the digital‑rights regulator, the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP).

Failure to meet the verification requirements could result in fines of up to €75 million or 5 % of a company’s global turnover, whichever is higher, as well as the possible suspension of services within French territory. The measure follows similar initiatives in other EU states and aligns with the broader European Union agenda to strengthen digital safety for children. Industry groups have expressed concerns about the operational burden and privacy implications, while consumer‑rights advocates welcome the step as a necessary safeguard for younger internet users. The law will be enforced from January, giving platforms a limited window to adapt their systems before the mandatory rollout.