France’s top court strikes down under-15 social media ban as unconstitutional

France’s Constitutional Council has struck down a law banning children under 15 from using social media, ruling it violates fundamental freedoms. The court said the blanket restriction disproportionately infringes freedom of expression and communication and that the legislation lacked sufficient legal guarantees. France had become the first EU country to introduce such a broad ban, including limits around platforms and certain school mobile-phone rules. President Emmanuel Macron said the government will prepare a new proposal by considering the court’s decision and EU law.