The National Assembly unanimously approves a text to regulate influencers

The text could be adopted definitively in the Senate, Thursday, June 1. The deputies voted unanimously, Wednesday, May 31, a transpartisan bill to regulate the criticized sector of influencers. Accusations of fraud or scams, promotions of ineffective or dangerous remedies, non-explicit partnerships… The actions of some of the influencers have placed the entire community in the sights of authorities and legislators.

“Our Parliament is capable of the worst as well as the best”underlined Wednesday the socialist co-author Arthur Delaporte, in reference to the very strong tensions which marked the examination in committee of a bill to repeal the retirement at 64 years. “The best is what we do tonight”he continued. “Influencers will continue to practise. The ‘influencers’ will still exist but will know that the law is there to punish them”he insisted.

The text, adopted unanimously (194 voters) as at each stage of its parliamentary shuttle, plans to prohibit the promotion of certain practices, such as cosmetic surgery, or “therapeutic withdrawal”. It prohibits or severely regulates the promotion of several medical devices. The bill prohibits the promotion of products containing nicotine, and recalls the submission to the Evin law. The text also prevents the promotion of subscriptions to sports predictions, and confines the promotion of games of chance and money to platforms that allow minors to access video.

Reaching influencers operating overseas

In the event of a breach, the bill provides for penalties of up to two years in prison and a fine of 300,000 euros.

The text also hopes to reach influencers operating from abroad, in Dubai in particular. It requires those who practice from outside the EU, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area, to take out civil insurance in the EU to compensate victims. They will also have to appoint a legal representative in the EU.