French Constitutional Council strikes down law banning social media for under‑15s

What happened

France’s top court invalidated the legislation that prohibited people under 15 from using social media. The Council found the ban infringed freedom of expression and the right to private life by imposing mandatory age verification. The decision requires the government to rewrite the measure.

Why it matters for trust and compliance

• Its status is decided. The case has an outcome that others may cite.
• The ruling blocks a privacy‑invasive age‑verification regime and sets a precedent for similar restrictions in Europe.

Who is affected

Recommended actions

1. Check that privacy notices describe the practices this addresses.
2. Map the security requirements to existing controls and close gaps.
3. Review age assurance and protections for minors' data.
4. Confirm handling of sensitive data categories meets the stricter rules.