France Bans Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls in Major Consumer Protection Move
France will restrict unsolicited telemarketing calls from 11 August as part of a major consumer protection measure backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The new law forces corporations to get customers’ agreement before making marketing calls or face fines of up to €375,000.
As part of a new rule that aims to shield customers from intrusive sales pitches, France will next week outlaw unsolicited telemarketing calls. Additionally, the new law will protect the most vulnerable citizens from deceitful business practices. The government of President Emmanuel Macron has backed the measure, and it will go into effect on August 11. Previously, French consumers could register their phone numbers with a government-run service to opt out of marketing calls.
However, consumer advocacy groups claimed that certain call centres simply disregarded the list. According to Alice Vilcot, chief of staff of the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Prevention of Fraud, companies are no longer allowed to contact consumers without their prior authorisation. Vilcot further stated that consent may be revoked at any moment.
Why Government is Pushing for Ban?
Consumers have been complaining about this law for years, according to the government. Approximately 75% of French citizens get at least one unsolicited sales contact every week, with many receiving even more, according to official estimates. Eleven consumer groups condemning the constant harassment of customers issued a unified demand for a ban in 2024. Many consumers have complained about receiving numerous unsolicited telemarketing calls on their cell phones and landlines.
Additionally, they mentioned that this intrusion is now something they encounter on a daily basis. Last year, the law was adopted by Parliament. A person can face a punishment of up to 75,000 euros ($87,000) for every illegal call they make. Fines for businesses can reach 375,000 euros ($435,000) for each call. Some cases are different. Customers can provide their permission to receive marketing calls by doing things like clicking a box on a form. If a company and a client have an existing contractual connection, the company can contact the customer with fresh commercial offers.
Various Countries Opting for Such Options
Since 2009, France's neighbour Germany has also implemented a prohibition of this kind. Relying on opt-out procedures is common in many other nations. Signing up for the national Do Not Call registry reduces unwanted sales calls in the United States; the Telephone Preference Service is in the United Kingdom; and Canada also has its own Do Not Call list.
There is a 500,000 pound ($670,000) fine per call for businesses in the UK that contact opt-out recipients. Morocco is worried about France's new law. According to Younes Sekkouri, Morocco's minister of employment, the country's telecommunications centres were threatening the jobs of 40,000 to 50,000 people in March. The French market generates almost 80% of the sector's revenue, according to Sekkouri. Vilcot brought attention to the fact that last year, a company located in Ireland was fined 6 million euros ($6.9 million) for breaking the previous telemarketing regulations in France by contacting individuals on the no-call list.
