Sawt Falasteen - EU tells France to amend social media ban law

European Union member states have the right to introduce laws, but they must not encroach on the powers given to the executive based in Brussels.

"We fully share the objective of the French authorities: minors must be better protected online," EU spokesman Thomas Regnier told AFP. "France has been an important driver of this debate."

But the European Commission, the bloc's executive, said in a formal written opinion that the French draft law overlaps with the EU's online content law known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), giving too much power to French regulators, sources close to the matter told AFP.

The EU's opinion does not prevent France from introducing a minimum age, but it must now amend the draft law to make it compatible with EU rules.

The law, however, cannot be approved before August 10 due to EU procedures.

"The commission's opinion helps ensure that any national measure is effective and in line with EU law. We must minimise fragmentation of national systems that may create legal uncertainty or weaken enforcement," Regnier added.

The pressure has ramped up on European politicians to do more since Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for under-16s with several countries following suit including Britain last month.

The EU is exploring a possible bloc-wide ban after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tasked an expert panel to look at what steps Brussels should take to better protect children online.

The panel will deliver its recommendations to her on July 13 but she has already indicated she would support limiting children's access to social media.

Von der Leyen also suggested there could be a proposal in the summer.

- Strict EU rules -

The EU has a bolstered legal weaponry to tackle harmful online content for children, which makes the European Commission the bloc's digital watchdog.

For example, the commission has the power to investigate, demand changes and fine the world's biggest platforms over any legal breaches under the DSA.

It also means stricter rules such as no targeted advertising to minors.

The EU opinion will not come as a surprise to France after the Senate modified the law and the government warned the changes meant it would not be compliant with EU rules.

The commission insists it is acting to protect children, pointing to probes into TikTok, and Facebook and Instagram, over whether they keep minors safe.

In an unprecedented move in February, Brussels told TikTok to change its "addictive design" or risk massive fines.

And in April, the commission said Meta is failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram.

Q.Najjar--SF-PST