Imposing rules on influencers has been the workhorse of some politicians for several months. Ecologist and socialist deputies have presented their bill in turns, without being able to carry out their idea. But never two without three: a new bill has been presented, this time at the initiative of the PS and Renaissance.
According to information from NextInpact, the presidential majority group has agreed to co-sign a new text led by Arthur Delaporte, a Socialist deputy at the origin of one of the first texts. The text will be on the agenda at the end of March and should benefit from an accelerated procedure in order to be adopted more quickly.
Framing influencer status
The main objective of this bill is above all to create an influencer status in the consumer code. At the moment, in the draft stage, a first definition of the status has already been considered.
And it is not only the influencers who would be incriminated, but also their agents. Arthur Delaporte told NextInpact that the second article of the law would create “influential agent” status. Influencers established abroad, particularly in Dubai, with a majority French audience, will have to designate a legal representative on French territory.
empower platforms
If officially, influencers are already required to indicate when content is sponsored, the practice is not always followed. With the future law, influencers would have the obligation to indicate when the content is part of the association. Stéphane Vojetta, also a deputy to the initiative of the bill, especially wants the platforms to assume their responsibilities, in particular by allowing the reporting of illegal publications by influential people.
Dropshipping is also covered by the invoice. A common practice among influencers, dropshipping involves reselling an often low-end product at a much higher price. To combat this phenomenon, MEPs want influencers to indicate the supplier of the products on offer. The promotion of certain products and services by influencers, such as alcohol, sports betting, and cosmetic surgery and health devices, will also be prohibited.
The Ministry of Economy, for its part, launched a few weeks ago a consultation on the profession of influencer. The results of this consultation should be released in the coming days.
Source: BFM TV
