France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls

France has enacted a ban on unsolicited telemarketing calls, a move hailed by consumer advocates as a significant shift for the sales industry. As of Tuesday, businesses across all sectors are prohibited from making such calls, with a few exceptions. These include calls related to existing contracts or when prior consent has been obtained for marketing purposes.

The consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble emphasized the importance of peace and quiet, stating it's time to halt unwanted solicitations. This sentiment extends beyond phone calls to online and street solicitations, which are often inundated with requests to consume. Group President Marie-Amandine Stévenin lamented the industry's automatic assumption that individuals at home or in their private lives are potential customers.

This legislation represents a win for consumers, who overwhelmingly do not wish to receive sales calls. However, the law change has sparked criticism from some business groups and Moroccan officials, who estimate the restrictions could result in job losses of up to 50,000. The head of France's direct-selling trade association, Fédération de la Vente Directe, also voiced concerns over the added administrative burdens for businesses.

Despite this, 97% of French people find telemarketing calls annoying, with 72% receiving calls on their mobile phones weekly and 38% daily. Germany, Austria, and Italy also impose strict restrictions on telemarketing calls, often called cold calls. In the UK, most telemarketing calls are legal unless the recipient has objected and their number isn't on a list of those opting out.