The government presented its text to the Council of Ministers. In particular, it would give more powers to Arcom, the audiovisual and digital media regulator.
Cyberbullying, children exposed to online pornography, internet scams, false information… It is all these evils of the web that the government aims to tackle through a bill aimed at “securing and regulating the digital space” presented Wednesday, May 10 in the Council of Ministers. The text is carried by Jean-Noël Barrot, the Minister Delegate in charge of the Digital Transition and Telecommunications, who detailed the content to the press. It revolves around protecting against cyberscams, combating access by minors to pornography and combating cyberbullying. Here are the main measures.
Protect minors from online porn
It was a promise made by Emmanuel Macron on the International Day of Children’s Rights, November 20, 2019, at Unesco. The Head of State then took a position to better regulate access to online pornographic content by minors.
The bill presented on Wednesday plans to strengthen the power of Arcom, the audiovisual and digital media regulator. The institution could thus block pornographic sites that do not verify the age of their users, and this “in a few weeks” and without a judge’s decision. It could also cause them to be delisted on search engines. It would go through “a notice” of the site, which would then have “15 days to comply with the law”detailed Jean-Noël Barrot, guest of “4 Truths” on France 2.
🔴🗣 “We must give ARCOM, without going through the courts, the power to block porn sites that do not verify the age of their users” @jnbarrotMinister of Digital Transition. #Les4V pic.twitter.com/amkXUX6K7u
— Telematin (@telematin) May 10, 2023
By the age of 12, two out of five children have already watched pornographic content, according to the Ministry of Health. However, the current procedure is considered too slow: for several months, Arcom has been trying to obtain the blocking by the courts of several platforms for the distribution of pornography which are content to ask their visitors to declare their age. A first decision is expected in July 2023. Sanctions against sites disseminating child pornography content should also be strengthened.
Fighting online scams
Another promise from the Head of State is to offer citizens a “scam filter”, to protect them from online or SMS scams. As soon as a malicious campaign is identified by the State services, a device will display a warning message on user terminals – mobile phone, tablet or computer – in order to warn them of the risk incurred. The government has initiated discussions with telecom operators and internet browser publishers to implement this filter.
“It will be a simple and free device, to prevent us from going to these malicious sites to deposit bank details or personal data”explained the minister on France 2.
🚨🛡️ “A simple and free device to protect Internet users when they go to a malicious site”
The Minister for the Digital Transition @jnbarrot announces the creation of an anti-scam filter on the Internet. #Les4V pic.twitter.com/lMrB4A8qNY
— Telematin (@telematin) May 10, 2023
In 2022, a study published by the antivirus publisher Norton estimated that 19 million people had been victims of cybercrime in France over the last twelve months.
Still in the cybercrime section, the text proposes to better regulate the use of cryptocurrencies in online games, to fight against money laundering.
Strengthen sanctions against cyberbullies
The government’s bill also includes the creation of a new sentence, in order to “ban” social networks some convicted people. The text targets individuals found guilty of cyberbullying, dissemination of violent images or child pornography, pimping, Holocaust denial or even incitement to hatred. The judge could in the future pronounce this sentence, forcing social networks to suspend the accounts of these people, for a period of six months to a year, in the event of a repeat offense, and prevent them from creating new accounts.
🔴🗣 “For those responsible for online harassment, we foresee an additional penalty of banishment from social networks from 6 months to 1 year”@jnbarrotMinister of Digital Transition. #Les4V pic.twitter.com/MTW11rPrXI
— Telematin (@telematin) May 10, 2023
Protect businesses and communities
The government also wants to ban “transfer fee” data stored online. Currently, the world leaders in dematerialized data storage charge prices that are considered dissuasive for users, which can harm French companies using their services.
The executive has also thought of local authorities, which it wants to make it easier to control the rental of furnished tourist accommodation online.
Block certain sites accused of misinformation
The government has another hobby horse: the fight against misinformation. If this text is adopted, Arcom would see its powers significantly increased, because it could prevent dissemination on a website broadcasting media under international sanctions, such as the Sputnik or Russia Today sites, against which the European Union has took action in March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The text must also transcribe into French law the new European regulations on digital services and markets, providing for new obligations for platforms (Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Google, Amazon, etc.).