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French Lawmaker Seeks Criminal Probe Into TikTok Over Youth Safety

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A French parliamentary committee examining the psychological impact of TikTok on minors has concluded that the platform endangers the health and lives of young users. On Thursday, committee chair Arthur Delaporte announced he had formally asked the Paris public prosecutor to open a criminal investigation into TikTok.

Allegations Against TikTok

Delaporte, a Socialist lawmaker, accused TikTok of:

  • Deliberately endangering minors’ health and lives.

  • Possible active complicity in exposing children to harmful content.

  • Perjury, alleging TikTok executives misled lawmakers during hearings.

“It seems to me that there are offences of a criminal nature,” Delaporte told franceinfo.

TikTok’s Response

A TikTok spokesperson rejected the findings, calling them “misleading” and saying lawmakers were unfairly making the company a scapegoat. TikTok insisted it enforces strict policies to protect teenagers and their families, including dedicated safety features.

Background

  • The committee was formed in March 2024 following a lawsuit by seven families, who claimed TikTok exposed their children to content encouraging suicide.

  • The final report recommended:

    • Ban on social media use for children under 15.

    • Nighttime curfew (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.) for users aged 15–18.

Wider Scrutiny

TikTok, like other platforms, faces global pressure over child safety. Several countries in Europe, as well as Australia, are weighing restrictions on underage social media use.

French President Emmanuel Macron in June voiced support for an EU-wide ban on social media for under-15s, citing youth safety concerns after a fatal school stabbing.

The decision now rests with the Paris prosecutor, who will determine whether to pursue a formal criminal probe.

ASML’s $1.5B Investment in Mistral AI Fuels Europe’s Tech Sovereignty Push

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ASML’s $1.5 billion investment in French AI firm Mistral AI has been hailed as a turning point for Europe’s technological sovereignty, signaling stronger ambition to challenge U.S. and Asian dominance in artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductors.

Deal Highlights

  • ASML will become Mistral’s top shareholder with an 11% stake.

  • Mistral, valued at nearly $12 billion, is often presented as Europe’s AI champion.

  • The partnership is framed as uniting Europe’s semiconductor strength with cutting-edge AI innovation.

Political & Strategic Significance

The deal comes amid rising trade tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump and growing European unease over reliance on American tech giants like OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Nvidia.

  • EU lawmaker Stephanie Yon-Courtin called the investment a “game-changer,” strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and sending a message that the region intends to lead, not follow.

  • Leaders including Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz have emphasized the need for digital independence, echoing Mario Draghi’s extensive EU competitiveness report.

Industry Perspective

Analysts note that while practical outcomes of the ASML-Mistral tie-up are still unclear, the political symbolism is powerful.

  • Venture capitalist Sten Tamkivi highlighted a “mindset shift” in Europe, where assets like chipmaking are now being strategically paired with AI.

  • Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch welcomed the move but urged the European Commission and governments to match ambition with policy and funding.

Challenges Ahead

Despite momentum, Europe still faces hurdles:

  • Slow adoption of local start-ups by large European corporates.

  • Heavier regulations compared to the U.S. and Asia.

  • Continued talent and capital outflows to Silicon Valley.

Outlook

The deal signals Europe’s intent to retain its AI champions and align them with industrial strengths like semiconductors. Whether this symbolic leap translates into global competitiveness will depend on policy follow-through and corporate buy-in across the continent.

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.