Since the dismantling of Coco.gg in June 2024, thousands of regular users of the French-speaking chat are looking for where to find spontaneous and free conversations. The platform did not simply close its doors: it was dismantled as part of an international judicial operation coordinated by Eurojust, involving JUNALCO and several European countries. This context changes the game for anyone looking for an alternative, as security criteria are no longer optional.
Why the security of a chat should be assessed before the first connection
Comparisons of alternatives to Coco often align the number of rooms, the presence of a webcam, or the possibility of chatting without registration. These criteria guide the choice, but they say nothing about the actual level of protection offered by the platform.
Since February 17, 2024, the Digital Services Act (DSA) requires platforms accessible to minors to integrate protection measures by design. In practical terms, security no longer relies on a simple warning displayed at the entrance of the site.
In France, the law of July 7, 2023, sets the minimum age for registering alone on a social network at 15 years. Below this age, parental permission is required. Verification systems must follow a framework developed by Arcom after consulting CNIL. When evaluating an alternative to Coco, check if the platform implements effective age verification or just relies on a checkbox.
Looking for a free chat like Coco while avoiding pitfalls means checking these points even before creating a username.
Concrete criteria for evaluating a free chat alternative
Rather than listing a long list of platforms, let’s focus on the criteria that allow for sorting. Three elements deserve particular attention.
- Active real-time moderation: a human team that intervenes on reports, not just an automatic filter. Platforms that display a reporting button without staff behind it do not protect anyone.
- Transparent data policy after account deletion: deleting a profile does not guarantee the erasure of data. Check if the platform specifies what it retains, for how long, and on what legal basis (GDPR compliance).
- Age verification compliant with French law: a simple “date of birth” field does not constitute verification. Serious platforms rely on mechanisms validated or in the process of validation by Arcom.
These three filters already eliminate a good portion of the Coco clones that have appeared since the closure. If a platform does not meet any of these criteria, move on.
Chat without registration and anonymity: where to draw the line
One of the historical attractions of Coco was the immediate connection, without a form, without an email address. This model of anonymous chat without registration poses a structural problem: it makes moderation much more difficult.
A banned user can return in seconds under another pseudonym. Platforms that maintain this model must compensate with other mechanisms. Some use a technical identifier linked to the browser or device. Others impose verification by phone number, which limits returns after banning without requiring full registration.
Anonymity is not incompatible with security
You can chat under a pseudonym while being on a platform that tracks abusive behaviors. Anonymity protects your identity, not that of harassers. A good platform separates these two dimensions: it does not ask for your name, but it technically identifies problematic accounts.
The French-speaking alternatives that have emerged after the closure of Coco adopt varied approaches. Some, like Chaat.fr, prohibit access to minors and block the sending of photos and videos on the platform. Others focus on themed rooms moderated with strict rules displayed right from the homepage.
What the DSA changes for free chats in France
The Digital Services Act is not only about giants like Meta or Google. Any platform allowing users to publish content or interact with each other falls under its scope, to varying degrees depending on its size.
For a free chat, this means several obligations:
- Implementing an accessible reporting mechanism that is processed in a reasonable timeframe
- Informing users of moderation decisions made (message deletion, banning) and offering recourse
- Taking proportionate measures to protect minors, including regarding privacy and safety
A platform that ignores the DSA exposes itself to sanctions, but more importantly, it signals that it does not take the safety of its users seriously. This is a reliable indicator for making your choice.
Check before chatting
Before diving into a new platform, take thirty seconds to look for its legal notices and privacy policy. If these pages do not exist or link to a generic copy-paste text, it’s a red flag. Missing legal notices are worth as much as a door without a lock.
The landscape of free French-speaking chat is restructuring since the disappearance of Coco. The platforms that will survive are those that understand that free access and anonymity do not exempt them from complying with European and French legal frameworks. Moderation policy, handling of personal data, and age verification systems remain the three points to examine on each platform before connecting.
