French MEP Virginie Joron (Patriots for Europe) has asked the European Commission whether France violated EU procedural rules by adopting a law banning minors under 15 from accessing social media before the end of a mandatory standstill period. The law, adopted by the French Parliament on 21 July 2026, would require platforms to verify users' ages, but Joron argues that France failed to respect the three-month notification period under Directive (EU) 2015/1535, which was set to expire on 10 August 2026.
The written question, submitted on 23 July 2026, follows the Commission's detailed opinion on the French bill issued on 6 July 2026. Joron asks three specific questions: whether the Commission considers the adoption date compliant with the directive; whether it intends to open infringement proceedings against France; and what consequences the premature adoption would have for the law's implementation, particularly age-verification obligations. She also asks the Commission to confirm that any enforcement before the standstill period ends and before a formal EU response would be contrary to EU law.
The question reflects a tension between national sovereignty over child protection and EU internal market rules designed to prevent regulatory fragmentation. If the Commission finds a breach, it could launch infringement proceedings, potentially delaying or altering the French law. The Commission typically has six weeks to reply to parliamentary questions, and its answer will signal its stance on the procedural dispute and the broader implications for digital regulation in the EU.