France Moves to Ban Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls

A law backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s government will take effect next week, prohibiting businesses from contacting French consumers without prior consent. Consent may be withdrawn at any time, and the rule does not apply when a consumer has explicitly agreed to receive calls or when a company already has a contractual relationship with the customer.

PBS News Hour

Until now, French residents could register their numbers on a government-run “no-call” list, but consumer groups reported that many call centres ignored the registry. In 2024, eleven consumer organisations jointly called for a ban, describing the constant barrage of unwanted sales calls as “relentless harassment.” The previous regime also saw an Ireland-based firm fined €6 million for violating the older rules.

PBS News Hour

The law sets steep penalties: individuals who make illegal calls can be fined up to €75,000 per call, while companies face fines of up to €375,000 per call. Consumers can report violations through a dedicated government website, and authorities will enforce the sanctions.

PBS News Hour

Alice Vilcot, chief of staff at the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud, explained that the measure aims to protect consumers and allow them to withdraw consent at any time. Morocco’s minister of employment, Younes Sekkouri, warned that the ban could jeopardise between 40,000 and 50,000 jobs in Moroccan call centres, noting that the French market accounts for more than 80 % of the sector’s revenue.

PBS News Hour

Germany has operated a similar ban since 2009, while other countries rely on opt-out registries: the United States’ national Do Not Call list, Canada’s own list, and the United Kingdom’s Telephone Preference Service, which imposes fines of up to £500,000 per illegal call. France’s new regime places it among the stricter regulators of telemarketing in Europe.

PBS News Hour