FAQ - Internet and social networks

Summary

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Here you'll find all you need to know about the Internet and social networking.

Reporting unlawful content

I'd like to report content, an article or a comment published on the website or social networks of a print media title, newspaper or magazine. Can Arcom help me?

Arcom is the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication. It has no influence on the content of print media.

We invite you to contact the editorial staff of the newspaper in question.

What should I do if I discover unlawful or harmful content on the Internet?

Arcom has jurisdiction over television and radio programs shown on the Internet, but not over the websites themselves. At present, there is no body that effectively regulates the activity of this global network.

Nevertheless, as part of its efforts to fight crime linked to information and communication technologies, the French government has set up the internet-signalement.gouv.fr website, which enables you to report any web page containing unlawful data to the relevant authorities. You can also send an e-mail to the Central Office for Cybercrime Control ( OCLCTIC) of the French National Police.

What's more, if you discover illegal content or content that you consider harmful, you can lodge a complaint directly with your nearest police station or gendarmerie.

You can also contact the Association des fournisseurs d'accès et de services internet (AFA), whose Point de contact website inventories feedback from Internet users and advises you on the procedures for lodging a complaint.

Finally, under the French law on confidence in the digital economy (loi pour la confiance dans l'économie numérique) of June 21, 2004, ISPs and hosting providers are required to set up an easily accessible and visible scheme enabling anyone to bring to their attention infringements of the right to glorify crimes against humanity, incitement to racial hatred and child pornography, on pain of legal sanctions.

How can I report illegal content, posts or comments on websites or social networks?

Arcom, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, is not competent to regulate content published on the Internet.

However, the government has set up a form enabling you to report a page containing unlawful content to the relevant authorities.

If you feel that a website contains violent, offensive, discriminatory, racist, sexist or homophobic content, or if it contains false information, you will find the steps to follow and tools for reporting it on the page below.

Report content on the Internet