France’s top constitutional authority on Friday struck down a ban on social media access for children under 15, dealing a blow to the legislation championed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Constitutional Council Ruling on Article 1
The Constitutional Council has determined that Article 1 of the legislation infringes upon the freedom of expression and communication for individuals under the age of 15. The Council stated that this infringement is “neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate.”
After the ruling, the Elysee said Macron had tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with working on a new “legally robust draft” of the legislation. Lecornu will have to work “as quickly as possible” on a draft that takes into account both the Constitutional Council’s ruling and the European regulatory framework, the Elysee Palace said. The presidency said Macron’s determination to see the reform implemented remained undiminished.
Macron had thanked members of parliament for backing the legislation and pledged to enforce it by September.
