France has banned telemarketing calls to consumers without their consent
A law banning companies from calling consumers with promotional offers without their prior consent took effect in France on Tuesday. An individual who makes an illegal call could face a fine of up to 75,000 euros, while a company could face a fine of up to 375,000 euros.
The new rules, backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s government, are intended to protect consumers from intrusive commercial offers and fraudulent practices. Previously, those wishing to avoid sales calls had to register their number with a government service; however, according to consumer organizations, some call centers ignored this list.
Now, companies are prohibited from contacting consumers without their prior consent, which can be revoked at any time. A person can agree to receive such calls, for example, by checking the appropriate box on a form. Companies may also offer new products or services to their customers if a contractual relationship already exists between them.
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According to French authorities, about three-quarters of people in the country receive at least one unsolicited sales call each week. Such incidents can be reported via the government website. Last year, an Ireland-based company was fined 6 million euros for violating previous French regulations and calling people on the do-not-call list.
A similar ban has been in effect in Germany since 2009. Last month, the Netherlands also tightened its rules: companies are now prohibited from calling even their own customers with promotional offers without prior consent.
The law has raised concerns in Morocco, where call centers targeting the French market operate. Moroccan Minister of Employment Younes Sekkouri told lawmakers that up to 50,000 jobs could be at risk. Youssef Shrabi, president of the Moroccan Federation of Outsourcing Services, said that the French market has historically accounted for more than 80% of the industry’s revenue.
