Reform of the influencer profession: what are the measures envisaged by the text?

Are influencers about to experience major upheavals in their profession? The world of online influencers is rocked by the announcement ofa bill aimed at better regulating the professionin order to limit the possible scams and other abuses that sometimes rages on social networks. What are the measures proposed by this new text?

Protect influencers and consumers

This Tuesday, March 28, the National Assembly not only discussed pensions, but also dedicated itself to the bill governing the profession of influencer. According to Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, the latter would represent today 150,000 peoplein the crosshairs of these new rules.

Brought by deputies from different political parties, the text intends protect internet users and influencerswhether they are aimed at French people from France or from abroad.

To this end, the bill provides, in particular, the art prohibit the promotion of certain products and services, but also to implement sanctions against professionals in the sector who would have done so from the “questionable practices“, whose consequences on health or consumer wallet they are sometimes “devastating”as explained by the socialist deputy Arthur Delaporte, second The world.

An advertising job

The measures introduced by this bill mark a rapprochement between the profession of influencer and the rules governing the advertising sectorparticularly regarding the promotion of financial products, alcohol or tobacco. As for advertising for plastic surgeryit will simply be banned on social media.

The work of influencers Under 16 years old they will also be better regulated, linking them to the 2020 law regulating child labor on Youtube, TikTok, Instagram and all online platforms.

Towards the obligatory “retouched” filter?

While scrolling through her Instagram feed or watching a YouTube video, it’s not uncommon to see mentions “sponsored” OR “paid collaboration”, obligatory when influencers are paid by a brand to promote their product.

With this reform, a new mention could appear on social networks: it is the mention “retouched” mandatory when influencer retouch their photos OR the images of the products promoted on your profile. Suffice it to say that if the law is adopted, this mention may well become commonplace!

Fine, imprisonment, deletion of your account… What are the risks that influencers run in the event of fraud?

One major change in the bill is the sanctions envisaged to influence professionals who do not comply with these new measures. Fervent supporter of this reform, Bruno Le Maire announced on March 28 the risks he runs fraudulent influencerswho could serve a prison sentence or also see their account deleted :

“Influencers who violate these deceptive advertising or industry prohibition rules will be subject to new penalties. up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of €300,000. The judge can also pronounce the ban on exercising the activity of influence. In other words, we may suspend an influencer’s account. »

To listen to Internet users, the Minister of Economy has also announced its establishment “of a commercial influence brigade”made up of about fifteen people “responsible for responding to reports from Internet users and bringing them to justice” .