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

France's Constitutional Council has blocked a bill that would have banned social media access for minors under 15 years old, a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron's policy agenda. The top administrative court ruled that the proposed restrictions disproportionately infringed upon minors' rights to freedom of expression and communication, and also failed to implement adequate privacy protections.

The bill, passed by the French Parliament on July 21, aimed to protect young users from risks such as addiction, bullying, and abuse. It mandated that social media platforms implement age verification for new accounts starting September 1, with existing accounts of minors under 15 to be suspended by January 1, 2027. Macron had championed the measure, hoping to implement it in time for potential EU-wide actions.

However, the court found that Article 1 of the bill constituted a blanket ban, lacking sufficient distinction between the risks of different platforms and the varying vulnerabilities of minors. It also noted that the law would apply to platforms not proven to pose risks to children's health and safety. The ruling prevents France from becoming the first European country to enact such a social media age restriction.

The law also included an extension of France's existing smartphone ban in middle schools to high schools, set to begin in the 2026 school year.