France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls

France has implemented a ban on unsolicited telemarketing calls, hailed as a "small revolution" for the sales industry by consumer groups. Effective from Tuesday, the ban applies to all sectors, with limited exceptions. Businesses can now make calls only if they involve a pre-existing contract or if the recipient has previously given consent for marketing contacts.

Consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble emphasized that the ban is necessary to preserve peace and quiet, and to stop exposing consumers to unwanted solicitations, both online and in person. Marie-Amandine Stévenin, the group's president, stressed that people's homes and private lives should not be automatically assumed to be potential customers.

While consumer groups celebrate the victory, some business groups and Moroccan officials have criticized the law, fearing it could lead to job losses in the telemarketing sector. The Fédération de la Vente Directe (FVD), France's direct-selling trade association, also criticized the reforms for adding administrative burdens for businesses.

The law is supported by a 2025 parliamentary report, which found that 97% of French people are annoyed by telemarketing calls, and 72% receive calls on their mobile phones at least once a week. Similar restrictions on telemarketing calls are in place in other European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Italy. In the UK, most telemarketing calls are legal as long as the recipient has not objected and their number is not on a statutory list.