France will ban unsolicited commercial calls from 11 August under stricter consumer protection rules. Businesses will no longer be allowed to make marketing calls without prior consent, which consumers can withdraw at any time.
Until now, France had an opt-out system, requiring people who did not want such calls to register their number on a government do-not-call list. Consumer groups said some call centres ignored the list, while authorities estimate that around 75% of people receive at least one unsolicited commercial call each week.
Around 75% of people say they receive at least one such call a week.
Violations could carry fines of up to €75,000 per call for individuals and €375,000 for companies. Exceptions will apply when consumers have given explicit consent or already have a contract with the company and the call concerns a new commercial offer.
The rules aim to curb aggressive sales practices and protect vulnerable consumers from misleading or abusive practices. The changes have also raised concerns in Morocco, where many call centres serve French companies and up to 50,000 jobs could be affected.
Source: France24
