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Macron Pushes EU Ban on Social Media for Under-15s Following School Stabbing

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French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to advocate for an EU-wide ban on social media use for children under 15 years old, following a fatal stabbing at a middle school in eastern France. The attack, which involved a 14-year-old student stabbing a 31-year-old school aide during a bag search for weapons, has heightened concerns about youth violence.

Macron said in a Tuesday interview that he hopes to see results from European regulation efforts within months but emphasized France would act independently if progress stalls. “We cannot wait,” he told France 2 public broadcaster.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the incident as part of a broader pattern of violence among young people, with Macron pointing to social media as a contributing factor. Macron reinforced his stance on social media platform X, urging companies to implement age verification systems, noting that experts support such measures.

The push aligns with a global trend toward stricter regulation of children’s social media access. Australia, for example, introduced a ban last year prohibiting under-16s from using social media, one of the toughest moves worldwide amid ongoing debates over Big Tech’s role in youth safety.

Despite most platforms officially restricting users under 13, reports such as one from Australia’s online safety regulator highlight how easily children circumvent these rules.

Google Lays Off Around 200 Employees in Global Business Division: Report

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Google recently announced cuts of approximately 200 jobs within its global business unit, which oversees sales and partnerships, according to a report by The Information. The layoffs reflect a broader trend among major tech companies to shift their focus and resources towards data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) development, while reducing investments in other divisions.

In a statement to Reuters, Google described the job reductions as part of a strategic effort to improve collaboration and enhance its ability to serve customers more efficiently. This restructuring follows earlier workforce reductions; last month, The Information reported that Google had laid off hundreds of employees from its platforms and devices division, responsible for products such as Android, Pixel phones, and the Chrome browser.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, had previously announced a major workforce reduction in January 2023, cutting 12,000 jobs — roughly six percent of its global staff. As of the end of 2024, Alphabet employed 183,323 people worldwide, according to regulatory filings earlier this year. These recent layoffs continue the company’s efforts to streamline operations amid changing market priorities.

This move is part of a wider industry pattern, with several tech giants adjusting their workforces. Meta cut about five percent of its lowest-performing employees earlier this year while increasing hiring for AI-related roles. Microsoft trimmed 650 jobs in its Xbox division last September, and Amazon has made cuts across various departments, including communications. Apple also reduced roughly 100 positions in its digital services group last year, illustrating the sector-wide shift towards AI and cloud infrastructure investments.

Apple Fails to Overturn German Antitrust Ruling

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Apple suffered a legal setback in Germany as the nation’s top civil court upheld a decision subjecting the company to stricter antitrust oversight. The ruling confirmed the Federal Cartel Office’s assessment that Apple’s extensive market influence warranted closer scrutiny under Germany’s competition laws, placing it alongside other major US tech firms. The decision underscores the country’s commitment to regulating dominant digital platforms to ensure fair competition.

The judges ruled that Apple’s dominance stems from its highly integrated ecosystem, which tightly links its products and services while largely restricting access to users of Apple devices. This exclusivity, they argued, gives Apple significant control over digital markets, justifying heightened regulatory measures. The court’s decision upholds a May 2023 ruling that subjected Apple to Germany’s 19a competition rules, aimed at curbing the power of tech giants deemed capable of distorting market dynamics.

This is the second time the German courts have ruled against a major Silicon Valley player seeking exemption from these regulations. In a previous case, Amazon also failed to overturn similar oversight measures. The Federal Cartel Office has been expanding its regulatory reach in recent years, tightening its grip on other tech giants such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft, reinforcing Germany’s broader push to limit Big Tech’s influence.

Apple’s loss comes at a time when major technology firms are pushing back against stricter regulations in Europe. The European Union has been increasing its scrutiny of digital markets, prompting criticism from industry leaders and even political figures in the US. Former President Donald Trump previously criticized EU regulatory actions, calling them a form of taxation on American companies. The latest ruling signals that European regulators remain steadfast in their efforts to rein in Big Tech’s dominance, setting the stage for further legal battles in the future.