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A Win for France in the Fight Against Harmful Content

The battle against unrealistic and damaging beauty standards on social media just gained a significant victory. The hashtag #SkinnyTok had been gaining popularity, especially among teenage girls, promoting unhealthy dieting trends and contributing to mental health concerns.

France decided not to wait for Brussels. Instead, it took matters into its own hands. Clara Chappaz, France’s Minister for Digital Affairs, celebrated TikTok’s decision as a “collective victory”, emphasizing the need to protect young users from toxic content. She posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting the achievement.

TikTok Acts Globally – Not Just in France

What’s noteworthy is that the ban on #SkinnyTok is not limited to France. A TikTok spokesperson confirmed that the hashtag has been blocked worldwide, stating that it was part of a broader review of content moderation and safety tools. According to the platform, the hashtag was “associated with unhealthy weight loss content” and therefore violated its community guidelines.

This is another example of how pressure from national governments, not just EU institutions, is increasingly influencing global content moderation decisions on major platforms. In this case, France acted faster and more decisively than the European Commission.

Brussels Left Watching from the Sidelines

Although the European Commission opened an official investigation into TikTok in February 2024 under the Digital Services Act (DSA) – focusing on the protection of minors – it has not publicly responded to the #SkinnyTok case.

France, meanwhile, took swift action. Last month, Clara Chappaz personally traveled to TikTok’s European headquarters in Dublin to meet with the Trust and Safety team. She was joined by top French regulators, including Martin Ajdari (head of Arcom, the media regulator) and Marie-Laure Denis (president of CNIL, the data protection authority).

Missing from the table? The European Commission. The only EU-level voice in the room was French MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin from the Renew Europe group.

Is France Challenging Brussels’ Role?

The absence of the Commission at such a high-stakes meeting has sparked debate about Brussels’ effectiveness as the chief enforcer of EU digital rules. While the Commission has stated it is “in contact” with French authorities, critics argue that its slow response and lack of visibility risk undermining its credibility.

This situation reveals a shift: Member States are no longer waiting for the EU to act. They’re stepping in with direct political pressure, forcing platforms like TikTok to make global changes.

Faster Than the Law?

TikTok’s decision aligns with a growing trend of platforms being held accountable for the content they host. But the push didn’t come from EU law — it came from French diplomacy and national regulation.

This raises tough questions:

  • Can strong, fast national actions coexist with the EU’s goal of coordinated, harmonized enforcement?
  • Is this a one-time success — or the start of a fragmented regulatory landscape across Europe?

The case sets a precedent. It shows that national governments can, under certain circumstances, force real, global change faster than EU-level mechanisms.

Is #SkinnyTok Just the Beginning?

The ban on #SkinnyTok might be just the start of a broader clean-up of toxic content on social platforms. For TikTok, it’s a chance to show that it can adapt to real-world concerns and respond proactively to regulators’ expectations.

For France, it’s a political win — a signal that it’s serious about protecting the mental health of young users.

For the European Commission, it’s a wake-up call. In a rapidly evolving digital world, being the guardian of the rules also means being able to act swiftly and visibly.

A Bigger Question: Who’s Really in Charge?

TikTok may have banned #SkinnyTok, but the larger debate is far from over. This moment highlights a growing power shift. Is Brussels still in the driver’s seat when it comes to regulating Big Tech — or are national governments taking the wheel?

The answer will shape the future of digital rights, platform accountability, and the EU’s role in a fragmented digital landscape.

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