France's constitutional authority strikes down social media ban for under-15s

PARIS: France's top constitutional authority on Friday (Aug 14) struck down a ban on social media access for children under 15, dealing a blow to the legislation championed by President Emmanuel Macron.The Constitutional Council found that Article 1 of the legislation "constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate" to the freedom of expression and communication of those under 15.Macron had thanked members of parliament for backing the legislation and pledged to enforce it by September.After the ruling, the Elysee said Macron had tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with working on a new "legally robust draft" of the legislation.Lecornu will have to work "as quickly as possible" on a draft that takes into account both the Constitutional Council's r