French Constitutional Council rejects social media ban for children under 15
France's Constitutional Council has rejected a proposed law that would have banned social media access for children under 15, citing a disproportionate infringement on freedom of expression and communication. The Council also noted that the law did not adequately protect the right to privacy. French President Emmanuel Macron has since asked Prime Minister S茅bastien Lecornu to draft a revised version of the law by spring 2027. The proposed legislation, a key initiative from Macron's administration, aimed to restrict access to platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, X, Instagram, and social functionalities of YouTube, WhatsApp, Messenger, and certain online video games for those under 15, with an intended effective date of September 1. While acknowledging the constitutional requirement to protect the best interests of children, the Council found the broad prohibition could apply to online communication services where risks to minors' health and safety were not established. The Council also ruled on other legislative texts, validating the law on assisted dying with some interpretive reservations, and largely approving the emergency agricultural law, including controversial provisions for reintroducing banned pesticides like acetamiprid. Additionally, the main articles of the "Ripost" law on daily security were approved, which includes stricter penalties for "free parties," urban rodeos, and driving license suspension for drug use, even when not driving. However, the Council censored se
