A joint committee composed of French MPs and Senators has successfully resolved their differences and reached a consensus on a bill aimed at regulating commercial influence and combating abuses on social media. The bill, which addresses various aspects such as influence definition, transparency, fraud prevention, and public health provisions, is set for a final vote next week.
Unanimous Adoption of the Bill
The joint committee, consisting of the Assemble Nationale and the Senate, unanimously adopted the text after bridging their differences. This milestone puts an end to what was referred to as the “influence jungle” in the press release.
Defining Commercial Influence
A middle ground was found regarding the definition of commercial influence activity. The bill defines it as an influencer leveraging their notoriety with the audience in exchange for payment from a third party. Additionally, a threshold for influence activity has been reintroduced, which will be defined later via decree.
Transparency and Fraud Prevention
The bill emphasizes transparency by requiring all advertising or sponsored videos to include explicit mentions of “advertisement” or “commercial collaboration.” To combat fraud, each influencer within the EU must subscribe to civil liability insurance, which will compensate victims in case of fraudulent activities. Non-EU influencers must designate legal representation within the EU to ensure compliance with EU and French legal systems.
Protecting Public Health and Minors
Provisions in the bill strictly prohibit the promotion of nicotine products, surgical or cosmetic medicines, and therapeutic abstention. However, government campaigns for public health, such as vaccination or prevention against sexually transmitted infections, remain exceptions. Gambling activities cannot be promoted to minors, and the advertising of wild animals, except for professionals like zoos, is prohibited.
Sanctions and EU Compatibility
Sanctions for infringing the influencer law are based on those established for misleading commercial practices, with fines of up to 300,000 or imprisonment. The bill’s compatibility with EU regulations will be assessed by the European Commission in July.
The bill’s successful consensus among French MPs and Senators paves the way for its final validation through votes in the Assemble Nationale and the Senate. Once enacted, it will bring significant regulations to social media platforms, protecting users, ensuring transparency, and combating fraudulent practices.
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Who are some notable French MPs and Senators involved in the social media regulation bill?
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What are the main provisions of the social media regulation bill in France?
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How will commercial influence activity be regulated under the social media regulation bill?
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What are the sanctions and penalties for violating the influencer law in France?
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