The government is tightening its rules to protect minors online. On May 10, a bill to “secure” the internet will be presented to the Council of Ministers. Among the main novelties is the possibility for Arcom (ex-CSA) to block access to any site that distributes pornographic content without verifying the age of Internet users. And this, without the intervention of a judge, as is currently the case. A way of enforcing French law, which already requires verification of age in case of dissemination of pornographic content.
In practice, such blocking would be implemented by Internet service providers, making it impossible to connect to the targeted sites from French territory. Search engine exclusion could also apply.
No age verification on Twitter
If the giants of online pornography are regularly singled out, another platform well known to the general public could come under threat: Twitter. In fact, unlike its competitors such as YouTube, Facebook or Instagram, Twitter allows the dissemination of pornographic content. Issue: Company does not verify age to prevent minors from dealing with such content.
During a press conference, the digital ministry clarified to Tech & Co that no hypothesis about the social network, now owned and directed by Elon Musk, has been ruled out. “Arcom may have to block Twitter,” the ministry confirms, adding, however, that it is hopeful that the company will eventually agree to comply with French law. A blockade already claimed by child protection associations.
However, Twitter is likely to face the same problems as sites specializing in adult content, starting with the current lack of effective and privacy-friendly means of verifying the age of Internet users. In June 2021, the Cnil immediately ruled out the transmission of an identity document, citing excessive risks in relation to privacy.
Among the aforementioned hypotheses, a majority certificate provided by a trusted third party that already has an identity document, such as your bank or your insurance, in anonymous format. The tests in this direction were carried out in March, the ministry reminds Tech & Co, however, without communicating the results of the latter.
Source: BFM TV
