Social networks: what is cyber-banning?

by time news

2023-05-11 13:59:07

“To put an end to the feeling of insecurity online”, this is the objective of the bill presented by the Minister Delegate in charge of the digital transition, Jean-Noël Barrot, in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday May 10. This proposal comes within the framework of the transcription into French of the European DMA and DSA regulations which impose on the biggest digital players a battery of new rules in terms of abuse of a dominant position or regulation of problematic content. The French government wants to go further and proposes the banning of cyber-harassers from platforms like Facebook or Instagram.

Six months to one year ban

Anyone found guilty of disseminating violent images or inciting hatred may be deprived of access to social networks for a period of six months, or even a year in the event of a repeat offence. “Victims of cyber-harassment will be able to file a complaint, with screenshots taken by a bailiff in support, explains Corinne Henin, legal expert in cybersecurity at the Montpellier Court of Appeal. If a trial ensues and the accused is found guilty, then the judge may impose a sentence of banishment, accompanied by a fine. »

Concretely, the user will no longer be able to connect to his account, nor interact with other network users. The platform concerned will also have to prevent him from creating new accounts under another name. To do this, “it will probably have to identify an IP address”a digital representation of where a device is connected to the Internet.

Issue : “Often, several people use the same IP address”underlines the specialist. « En passing through the IP address, we will block the user but also all the members of his household. So potentially people who have done nothing. »

Work upstream

In order to more easily find the perpetrators of cyber-harassment and to be able to bring them to justice, it would be necessary to know their real identity, often hidden behind a pseudonym. “We could ask users to fill in their surname, first name, to send an identity document to register on a platform, says the cybersecurity expert. More we would go against the very principle of the Internet, which allows everyone to be whoever they want online. » Social networks would lose far too many users to remain profitable, believes Corinne Henin.

Rather than a ban, Yasmine Buono, digital education specialist, recommends training in online behavior “for parents and children”. “The problem must be dealt with upstream, otherwise no regulation will prevent cyber-stalkers from starting again. »

The government bill should be presented in the summer to the National Assembly and the Senate. To date, cyber-harassment is an offense punishable by French law: guilty Internet users risk up to three years in prison and a fine of €15,000.

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