France to ban unsolicited telemarketing calls starting August 11

New Telemarketing Regulations in France

France is set to ban unsolicited telemarketing calls starting Tuesday, August 11. This new law, supported by President Emmanuel Macron's government, mandates that businesses must secure prior consent from consumers before initiating marketing calls. Consumers retain the right to withdraw this consent at any time.

Addressing Consumer Complaints

The government introduced this law in response to numerous consumer complaints regarding intrusive sales pitches. Authorities estimate that approximately 75% of people in France receive at least one unsolicited sales call weekly. In 2024, eleven consumer organizations collectively called for a ban, citing "relentless harassment" through unwanted calls to both landlines and mobile phones.

Penalties and Enforcement

Parliament approved the law last year. Individuals making illegal calls face fines up to €75,000 per call, while companies can be fined up to €375,000 per call. A government website will allow people to report unsolicited calls. Exceptions exist for calls where consumers have given consent, such as by checking a box on a form, or for companies contacting existing customers with new offers if a contractual relationship is already in place.

Comparison with Previous Regulations and Other Countries

Previously, French consumers had to register their numbers with a government service to avoid marketing calls, but consumer groups noted that some call centers disregarded this list. An Ireland-based company was fined €6 million last year for violating these older rules. Other countries, like Germany, have had similar bans since 2009, while nations such as the United States, Canada, and the UK rely on opt-out systems like Do Not Call registries, with penalties for violations.