Parental control: the Assembly votes a law in favor of a “default” installation on connected screens

The deputies adopted this week, unanimously, the bill aimed at making it compulsory for manufacturers to pre-install a parental control device.

This proposition, “ living to encourage the use of parental control on certain equipment and services sold in France and allowing to access the internet (yes, that’s his name), was unanimously adopted by 82 voters this week in the National Assembly. Submitted on the initiative of LREM parliamentarians, the proposal aims to strengthen the protection of young audiences and to facilitate the implementation, by parents, of parental control thanks to its installation by default.

A default installation, parents keeping the freedom to activate the control or not

The law passed imposes a new obligation on manufacturers of connected devices, a measure which was advocated by Emmanuel Macron. They will now have to insert parental control software into their equipment. Section 1^er of the law states that ” the activation of this device is offered to the user when the equipment is put into service for the first time”.

In other words, the first time a connected device with a screen is turned on, parental control must be offered directly. The device will allow users, and in the first place parents, ” to restrict or control the access of such persons (to) services and content “, adds the law. Note that the installation will be done by default, that is to say that the parental control will not be directly activated, but only directly “proposed”. Parents thus retain the freedom to apply it or not.

Regarding the devices covered by the law, we find smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions, video game consoles or connected watches. ISPs and operator boxes, but also connected/home automation objects that do not allow you to browse the Internet are exempt. Note also that many services (Fire TV, Netflix, etc.) already offer parental controls when they are activated).

Devices that do not comply with the law will risk being withdrawn from sale

The law finds its meaning in that only 44% of parents configure their child’s smartphone or console, and 38% use technical devices or software to control Internet browsing (similar to parental controls), according to a survey. conducted in 2020 by Mediametrie. Rather disappointing figures, which undoubtedly helped the parliamentarians to make their decision.

For the moment, the law does not specify what the precise functionalities of this parental control should be or the means implemented by the manufacturers to facilitate the adoption of the device. This information will be specified when the implementing decree is published. In all cases, the general spirit of the law imposes a default installation and a simplified handling. For refurbished devices, refurbishers must inform users of the existence of the parental control device.

The decree can only be taken after the opinion of the data policeman, the CNIL, which will undoubtedly distill some good recommendations to elected officials. In the event that a manufacturer fails to comply with this law, the government reserves the right to order the removal of the affected products from sale.

Source: National Assembly