France's Constitutional Council strikes down social media ban for children under 15 while upholding assisted dying law
France's Constitutional Council struck down a bill that would have banned children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. The court ruled that the ban was too broad and disproportionately infringed upon freedom of expression and communication. Additionally, the council upheld a law legalizing assisted dying under specific circumstances, such as for patients suffering from incurable, life-threatening illnesses. President Emmanuel Macron, who championed both policies, tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with reworking the social media bill to create a more legally robust draft. The council noted that the original bill required everyone, including adults, to prove their age, which raised privacy concerns and lacked sufficient legal safeguards. While the council validated the law on assisted dying, it clarified provisions regarding the conscience clause for pharmacists and treatment centers. The administration's decision marks a significant shift in French policy, requiring the government to refine the social media legislation to ensure it meets constitutional standards while maintaining the goal of protecting minors.