PARIS – Most French influencers violate the country’s consumer protection and advertising laws, According to The country’s Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF).
“Faced with the challenges of protecting consumers, especially the youngest ones, DGCCRF maintains its vigil on this sector and intensifies controls,” the public body said in a report today.
Influencers have become a hot-button issue in France, and the government and lawmakers from various political parties, including President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance Party and the Socialist Party, are seeking to regulate their activities. In early January, Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire launched a consultation which has already collected 12,000 contributions And will lead the proposals in March.
Socialist and Macron lawmakers have introduced competing bills on the issue and are currently holding talks to see if there is room for agreement – and therefore a common text that would have a better chance of crossing the finish line. The decision is expected soon.
From 2021, DGCCRF has controlled on 60 influencers and agencies and found that 40 of them violated. The Consumer Protection Authority focuses on sensitive products and services, such as dietary supplements, “slimming” programs, cosmetics, and online trading or betting services. Influencers did not clarify whether they were actually paid for their posts; misleading consumers by claiming products are organic or can help fight COVID-19; and advertised “risky services” such as online betting without respecting regulations.
Ocean Herrero contributed reporting.