The French communications watchdog and the organisation responsible for the protection of internet rights are to merge into a single regulator.
As of January 1, 2022 the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) and the Haute autorité pour la diffusion des œuvres et la protection des droits sur internet will become a single entity known as the Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique (Arcom).
The objective is to create an integrated regulator with broader powers, particularly in content creation, from the setting of obligations to the protection of copyright and the fight against piracy. The new authority will also focus more on digital issues, the fight against hateful online content, and the regulation of subscription video platforms.
Arcom will also have a brief to modernise regulation and be more attentive to the public and their concerns.