France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls

France has prohibited unsolicited telemarketing calls, with consumer groups praising it as a "small revolution" for the sales industry. The ban, effective from Tuesday, applies to all sectors, except for calls related to existing contracts or when prior consent has been obtained. Consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble emphasized that peace and quiet is a right and called for an end to unwanted solicitations, both online and in private spaces.

The group's president, Marie-Amandine Stévenin, noted that consumers who are not interested in sales calls should not be exposed to them. However, the new law has drawn criticism from some business groups, with officials in Morocco warning that it could result in the loss of up to 50,000 jobs. Additionally, the head of France's direct-selling trade association, Fédération de la Vente Directe, criticized the reforms for increasing administrative burdens on businesses.

According to a 2025 parliamentary report, 97% of people find telemarketing calls annoying, with 72% reporting at least weekly calls to their mobile phones and 38% being called daily. Germany, Austria, and Italy also impose significant restrictions on telemarketing calls, while the UK allows most calls if recipients have not objected and are not on a list of those who do not want to receive calls.