France: Social Media Tax Evasion Investigations

(Patria) – The French parliament is considering a proposal to introduce a three-year trial of monitoring individuals via social media to identify potential discrepancies between the lifestyles they display on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and their tax records.

Minister of Public Action and Accounts Gérald Darmanin, who proposed this approach last year, stated on a TV show that tax authorities will thus be able to 'see your many photos in a luxury vehicle even if you don't have the means to buy it, and they will determine if it was lent to you by a relative or girlfriend, or perhaps not'.

This method could also uncover customs evasion on online sales sites, as well as potential differences between declared residence and the place in France where a person primarily resides.

The French National Commission for Information Technology and Liberties has warned that the government must proceed cautiously to avoid violating data protection laws. They also believe that mass data collection would lead to a change in individual behavior on networks, where they would no longer feel free to express themselves, writes The Guardian.