In the midst of an ever-evolving digital era, the French Parliament has just made a bold move, establishing a solid legal framework for the modern influencer. This recent legislation not only clearly defines who ‘influencers’ are, but also outlines clear boundaries for their online conduct.
The law addresses critical areas such as the promotion of practices like cosmetic surgery and the regulation of medical device advertising. But, what really catches our attention, is its focus on digital authenticity. Did you know that under this new law, images enhanced with filters or created with artificial intelligence must carry an explicit statement of modification? This begs the question, why have other jurisdictions such as Spain, despite having a General Law on Audiovisual Communication, not yet addressed this issue?
And if you think that French law is limited to its borders, think again. Influencers operating from abroad are also covered, and are required to take out civil insurance in the European Union and appoint a legal representative in the EU.
This legislative breakthrough in France is undoubtedly a significant leap towards greater regulation of the digital space and social networks. It sets a precedent that other countries will need to consider if they want to keep up with this ever-changing digital landscape.
From FJ Intelligence, we like to keep our finger on the pulse of these developments and would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Do you think influencers should be required to inform their followers when their social media images are enhanced with filters or generated by AI? Let us know, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
