{
  "id": 551644,
  "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-551644",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T09:47:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260811/france-bans-unsolicited-telemarketing-calls-with-hefty-fines-for-violators"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "France has implemented a new law that bans unsolicited telemarketing calls, with the aim of protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches and safeguarding vulnerable individuals from fraudulent practices. This legislation, backed by President Emmanuel Macron's government, took effect on Tuesday. While other nations have attempted opt-out systems, France is implementing more stringent obligatory opt-in rules, hoping they will prove more effective.\n\nFor years, French citizens have been voicing their discontent with telemarketing calls. Previously, those seeking to avoid such calls had to register their numbers with a government-run service; however, consumer groups argued that some call centers disregarded this list. Now, businesses are strictly prohibited from contacting consumers without their prior consent, according to Alice Vilcot, chief of staff at the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud. Importantly, this consent can be withdrawn at any time.\n\nThe government attributes the enactment of this law to years of mounting consumer complaints. Authorities estimate that roughly three-quarters of people in France have previously expressed dissatisfaction with unsolicited telemarketing calls.",
  "summary": "PARIS — 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 government entered into force Tuesday. While several countries have tried opt-out systems, France is hoping more muscular obligatory opt-in rules will…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-11T08:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}