{
  "id": 547592,
  "title": "France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls, with hefty fines for violators",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/france-bans-unsolicited-telemarketing-calls-with-hefty-fines-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T08:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/france-unsolicited-telemarketing-ban-e171857a6e65a76add88b406e69d6820"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "France has enacted a new law banning unsolicited telemarketing calls, aiming to protect consumers from intrusive sales pitches and fraudulent business practices. Backed by President Emmanuel Macron's government, the law took effect on Tuesday. Unlike opt-out systems used by other countries, France is implementing obligatory opt-in rules, which consumer groups hope will be more effective.\n\nPreviously, individuals in France had to register their phone numbers with a government service to avoid marketing calls, but consumer groups reported that some call centers disregarded the list. Now, businesses are prohibited from contacting consumers without explicit consent, which can be withdrawn at any time.\n\nConsumer authorities estimate that about three-quarters of French people receive at least one unsolicited sales call each week, with many receiving even more. In 2024, eleven consumer organizations jointly called for a ban, criticizing the \"relentless harassment of consumers through countless unwanted telemarketing calls to both landlines and mobile phones.\"\n\nUnder the new law, unauthorized calls can incur fines of up to 375,000 euros for individuals and 375,000 euros per call for companies. Businesses can contact customers with new commercial offers if they have an existing contractual relationship. However, consumers may consent to receive marketing calls by checking a consent box on a form.",
  "summary": "PARIS (AP) — France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls under a new law aimed at protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches and shielding vulnerable people from fraudulent commercial practices. The law backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s…",
  "key_points": [
    "France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls as of Tuesday",
    "Businesses prohibited from contacting consumers without consent",
    "Fines up to 375,000 euros for individuals, 375,000 euros per call for companies"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/547592.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls, with hefty fines for violators",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/france-bans-unsolicited-telemarketing-calls-with-hefty-fines-for-550679",
        "published": "2026-08-11T09:37:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}