France implemented a new law on Tuesday banning unsolicited telemarketing calls, imposing fines of up to $87,000 per call. The legislation, supported by President Emmanuel Macron’s government, requires businesses to obtain prior consent before contacting consumers. The law aims to protect consumers from intrusive sales tactics and fraudulent practices, marking a shift from previous opt-out systems to mandatory opt-in rules, according to fortune.com.
The new regulation follows years of consumer complaints about relentless telemarketing calls. Previously, French consumers could register their numbers on a government-run do-not-call list, but enforcement was weak as some call centers ignored it. Alice Vilcot, chief of staff at the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud, stated that businesses are now prohibited from contacting consumers without prior consent, which can be withdrawn at any time. The law was approved by Parliament last year after 11 consumer organizations jointly called for a ban in 2024, highlighting the daily intrusion caused by unwanted calls.
France’s move aligns with similar provisions in other European countries that have struggled to curb unsolicited marketing calls. The shift to an opt-in system is designed to be more effective than previous opt-out approaches, which often failed to stop persistent telemarketers. Authorities estimate that about 75% of people in France receive at least one unsolicited sales call weekly, underscoring the scale of the problem. The law’s stringent penalties reflect the government’s commitment to tackling consumer harassment and fraudulent commercial practices.
The new telemarketing law took effect on August 11, 2026, with fines of up to $87,000 per unsolicited call. Enforcement will be overseen by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud, which will monitor compliance and handle consumer complaints under the new framework.