The French government is intensifying its efforts to restrict minors’ access to social media. As part of this initiative, officials are considering additional measures, including potential limitations on the use of virtual private networks (VPNs).
Legislative Developments
Recently, the National Assembly of France voted in favor of a proposed ban on social media usage for individuals under the age of 15, with a vote tally of 116-23. This legislation is now set to progress to the Senate for further discussion.
Targeting VPNs
During an interview with Franceinfo, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff indicated that VPNs could be the next focus of regulatory action. She stated, “If [this legislation] allows us to protect a very large majority of children, we will continue. And VPNs are the next topic on my list.” The concern is that VPNs could enable minors to bypass the proposed social media restrictions.
Privacy Concerns
While VPNs are often associated with enhanced online privacy, the introduction of age verification requirements could undermine their appeal. Users may be required to submit personal data, raising concerns about privacy and data security, especially given the prevalence of data breaches in the tech industry.
Global Context
This move in France is part of a broader trend observed globally, where various governments are implementing measures to limit children’s access to social media. In the United States alone, 25 state-level laws aimed at age verification have been introduced in the past two years, raising similar concerns about user privacy and data protection.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
