Paid partnerships on social networks can qualify as unfair business practices under French law

Under French law, influencers must indicate in their publications on social networks (by a logo or an oral or written mention for example) when it is a paid partnership. Failure to do so qualifies as an unfair commercial practice, punishable by heavy fines. This was illustrated by the settlement fine of EUR 20,000 proposed by the French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) to a French influencer, who accepted it, following an investigation by the DGCCRF services into a publication on social networks. This case demonstrates the importance for influencers to be advised by legal professionals, in order to avoid breaking the law and to ensure a return on investment of their promotional operations.

The complete press release of the DGCCRF (in French) below: