Regulation has become the shield for a chaotic online landscape. In a recent council session, France outlined its strategy to curb fraud and other digital harms while pursuing the pension reform agenda. The executive under Emmanuel Macron faces a suite of persistent challenges in the digital arena, from protecting users to addressing harmful content online.
The focus is a robust filter against fraud, together with faster action on blocking explicit material that fails to be age-verified. The aim is to reduce exposure to minors and to clamp down on phishing schemes that rely on deceptive pages and text messages. The Deputy Minister for Digital Transition, Jean-Noel Barrot, spoke at a press briefing following the Council of Ministers meeting about these security priorities and the urgent need to rebuild trust in the digital space.
The European country most affected by this scam is France.
The government supports anti-fraud measures, malicious campaigns, and content warnings across pages and messages. Every time someone visits a page or receives a suspicious SMS, a government alert signals the risk and encourages caution as part of a broader safety push from the digital department.
Recent research from Visa and Wakefield Research indicates that a significant portion of French citizens report being victims of electronic fraud. France leads European countries in reported incidents, with Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom also showing notable levels of risk. While the French banking sector has stronger protections for victims, including easier blocking of transfers and recovery of funds, the challenge remains widespread and costly for many households.
Some experts critique the balance between privacy and safety, noting that blocking ads could inadvertently suppress legitimate content. Maryse Artiguelong, a technology head at a digital rights organization, cautions that restricting advertisements on a broad spectrum could affect diverse publishers and voices online.
Block porn sites without a court order
The same concern about safeguarding minors drives another set of reforms. In 2020, the government pushed for age verification by major platforms, but some adult sites did not fully comply. Barrot emphasized that millions of children are exposed to pornographic content, underscoring the urgent need for effective controls.
To enforce this, the proposal assigns ARCOM, the government body overseeing audiovisual and digital communications, to implement bans on pages that fail to prevent access by minors under 18. If the measure passes, such bans could be deployed within weeks. The legislation also outlines guidelines for a new age-verification system currently being tested in pilots.
In addition, the reform strengthens penalties for online harassment. Individuals convicted of abusive behavior on social platforms face disqualification or fines, and repeat offenses can trigger longer penalties. The goal is to curb online harassment while preserving free expression in a responsible digital ecosystem.
The plan also touches on the economics of cloud storage. It aims to prevent large digital providers from charging French firms for relocating or replacing their cloud services, a move designed to protect national digital infrastructure and ensure competitive access for domestic businesses.
The legislative path moves to the Senate for summer debate and then to public sessions in September. Despite political hurdles and a lack of a full majority in the Assembly, supporters believe momentum can be sustained to advance these digital safeguards and market protections. This path reflects a broader commitment to a safer, more accountable internet for residents in France and aligns withEU-level discussions on digital regulation and consumer protection.