France might seek restrictions on VPN use in campaign to keep minors off social media

"France may take additional steps to prevent minors from accessing social media platforms. As its government advances a proposed ban on social media use for anyone under age 15, some leaders are already looking to add further restrictions. During an appearance on public broadcast service Franceinfo, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff said VPNs might be the next target."

"A virtual private network would potentially allow French citizens younger than 15 to circumnavigate the social media ban. We've already seen VPN's experience a popularity spike in the UK last year after similar laws were passed over age-gating content. However, a VPN also offers benefits for online privacy, and introducing age verification requirements where your personal data must be submitted negates a large part of these services' appeal."

"The French social media ban is still a work in progress. France's National Assembly voted in favor of the restrictions last week with a result of 116-23, moving it ahead for discussion in the country's Senate. While a single comment doesn't mean that France will in fact ban VPNs for any demographic, it does point to the direction some of the country's leaders want to take."

France's government is advancing a proposal to ban social media use for anyone under age 15 while some leaders seek additional restrictions. Minister Delegate Anne Le Hénanff said virtual private networks are the next topic to address, because VPNs could allow under-15s to circumvent an age-based ban. VPN usage spiked in the UK after similar age-gating laws, yet VPNs also provide online privacy benefits that age-verification requirements would undermine by requiring personal data. France's National Assembly voted 116-23 to move the restrictions to the Senate, and critics warn that protective measures risk veering toward authoritarianism. Similar legislative pushes and age-verification proposals have appeared internationally, raising privacy concerns.

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