France: Bill on protecting minors from the risks arising from the use of social networks including age verification requirement was passed by National Assembly

On 26 January 2026, the National Assembly passed at first reading the Bill on protecting minors from the risks arising from the use of social networks under the accelerated procedure. The passed text prohibits access to online social network services provided by online platforms for minors under 15 years of age. It excludes encyclopaedias, educational or scientific directories, and free software development and sharing platforms. Supervision is entrusted to the audiovisual and digital communications regulatory authority under Regulation (EU) 2022/2065. The prohibition enters into force on 1 September 2026, with a four-month transitional period for pre-existing accounts.