France

European Commission plans to introduce a mobile app for age verification: By the end of 2026, the Commission plans to introduce a mobile app to enable users to prove their age through an electronic attestation in a privacy-preserving manner.

Conseil d’État rejected suspension of age verification obligation for EU-based sites: The Conseil d’État definitively rejected the demand to suspend the age verification obligation for EU-based sites, upholding the arrêté interministériel.

European Commission published guidelines on protection of minors online: The Commission recommended methods of age verification for users of platforms destined for adults, including pornographic sites.

Expanded enforcement date for European-based sites: This date marked the expanded enforcement for European-based sites, directly impacting platforms under Aylo’s ownership (Pornhub, RedTube, and YouPorn).

Deadline for 17 EU-based sites to comply: The 17 EU-based sites designated by the arrêté interministériel had until this date to prevent access to minors.

ARCOM's age verification standards came into full effect: Following the transitional period, ARCOM’s standards are now in full effect, and any website or online platform hosting pornography accessible to French users must have age verification measures in place that comply with ARCOM’s issued guidelines.

End of transitional period for bank card verification: The additional three-month transitional period, during which alternative proof based on the use of a bank card was accepted, ended. Robust methods are now required.

Publication of interministerial decree: The interministerial decree obliging Pornhub and YouPorn to verify user age was published.

Arrêté interministériel extended obligations to 17 EU-based sites: An interministerial decree was published, extending age verification obligations to 17 pornographic sites established in other EU member states, including Pornhub and YouPorn.

Age verification obligations came into effect for sites in France or outside EU: The obligation for sites to verify the age of their users came into effect for sites hosted in France or outside the European Union, with a three-month transitional period for bank card verification.

Deadline for services to comply with ARCOM standards: Services had until this date to comply with the requirements of the ARCOM standard.

French courts ordered blocking of five major adult sites: French courts ordered the blocking of five major adult sites for not having sufficient age verification measures in place, under the previous law.

ARCOM published final version of age verification standards: ARCOM published the final version of the age verification standards that pornographic websites must adhere to.

ARCOM adopted/published final technical referential for age verification: ARCOM adopted and published the final technical referential (standards) for age verification systems.

SREN Law published in Official Journal: The SREN Law was published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.

SREN Law (Loi n° 2024-449) promulgated: The Law on Securing and Regulating the Digital Space (SREN Law) was officially promulgated.

Conseil Constitutionnel decision on SREN law: The Conseil Constitutionnel confirmed the SREN law's conformity with the French Constitution, with some partial non-conformities and reservations.

SREN bill presented to Council of Ministers: The project of law 'Sécuriser et réguler l’espace numérique' (SREN) was presented to the Council of Ministers.

ARCOM launched public consultation on proposed standards: ARCOM launched a public consultation on the contemplated standards for age verification.

Digital Services Act (DSA) regulation: The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) was adopted, setting a new legal framework for protecting children online.

Previous law on access of minors to pornographic sites: A previous law addressing access of minors to pornographic sites was enacted.

Age verification required for non-EU pornographic websites: Pornographic websites located outside the European Union were required to prevent minors from viewing their content by employing age verification systems.

Directive relative au commerce électronique: Affirmed the principle of country of origin for service providers within the EU.

Interdiction d’exposer des mineurs à un contenu à caractère pornographique: It became forbidden to expose minors to pornographic content (article 227-24 of the penal code).

Law introduced article 227-24 of the Penal Code: Prohibiting exposing minors to pornographic content.