France proposes age-of-consent rule for Facebook users
France proposes age-of-consent rule for Facebook users
Reuters Staff DECEMBER 13, 2017 / 7:24 AM
PARIS (Reuters) - All French children under the age of 16
will have to seek parental approval to open an account on Facebook or any other
social network under draft legislation presented on Wednesday.
The requirement is part of a French bill that seeks to
adapt data privacy regulations and improve access to the information internet
companies gather, store and in many cases sell to other firms about people’s
online activity.
“Joining Facebook will involve parental authorization for
minors aged under 16,” Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet told reporters.
She was presenting the outlines of a data privacy bill
that was approved at a weekly cabinet meeting. It now goes to parliament for
approval before it can become law.
The bill aims to ensure easier access for users to all
the data companies collect so they can more easily seek to have certain details
amended or deleted.
The minister said signing up to join a social network
would involve ticking a box to confirm that approval from parents or rightful
guardians had been obtained, and that the box-tick amounted to a declaration
governed by law.
It was not clear how enforceable such a process would be.
Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; Writing by Brian Love;
Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg
Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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