The Caen court has ruled against Carrefour for making its online grocery service inaccessible to blind and visually impaired people. The associations ApiDV and Droit Pluriel, which brought the lawsuit, have thus secured a significant victory after suffering a legal defeat against Auchan last May on similar grounds. This decision marks a turning point in the fight against digital discrimination in the French retail sector.
A series of summonses since November
Since November 12, 2025, the two associations have been filing numerous lawsuits against major retailers. In addition to Carrefour and Auchan, E. Leclerc and Picard are also being sued for their e-commerce platforms failing to meet accessibility requirements. These proceedings are based on the 2025 European directive that requires companies to adapt their digital services for people with visual impairments. The websites in question do not allow visually impaired users to use standard technical tools for browsing and ordering online.
A precedent expected
The Carrefour ruling is a first for the sector. ApiDV and Droit Pluriel intend to set a precedent against what they call digital discrimination. The other targeted retailers will now have to comply with accessibility standards or face similar penalties. This legal battle reveals the persistent shortcomings of online retailers in addressing the specific needs of customers with disabilities, who are nevertheless protected by European law.
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