France has banned unsolicited telemarketing phone calls, effective Tuesday, in a move consumer groups are hailing as a significant shift in the sales industry. The new law prohibits businesses from making cold calls, except in cases where the person has already entered into a contract or has given prior consent to be contacted for marketing.
Exceptions to the Rule
The ban on cold calls applies to all sectors, but there are some exceptions. Businesses can still contact customers who have already entered into a contract or have given prior consent to be contacted for marketing. Consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble has welcomed the move, saying it will bring peace and quiet to consumers.
A Victory for Consumers
According to a 2025 parliamentary report, 97% of people in France are annoyed by telemarketing calls. The report also found that 72% of French people are contacted on their mobile phones at least once a week, while 38% are called once a day. Consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble has long been advocating for an end to the automatic assumption that someone in their home or private life is a potential customer.
Reactions from Business Groups
Not everyone is pleased with the new law. Business groups have criticized the reforms for adding administrative burdens for businesses. The head of France's direct-selling trade association, the Fédération de la Vente Directe (FVD), Frédéric Billon, said that businesses will have to obtain written consent from their customers and keep proof of that consent.
A Significant Loss of Jobs
The telemarketing restrictions have also been criticized by officials in Morocco, where the call centre sector is heavily reliant on the French market. One government minister estimated that the telemarketing restrictions could lead to the loss of up to 50,000 jobs, according to a report in Moroccan newspaper Le Matin.
A Step Towards Consumer Protection
The ban on cold calls is a significant step towards consumer protection in France. As Marie-Amandine Stévenin, president of consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble, said, "peace and quiet is a right, and it is time to stop exposing consumers to unwanted solicitations." The law change is a victory for consumers, who will no longer be subjected to unwanted sales calls.
Source: Joy Online
