France bans telemarketing without consumer consent

France banned unsolicited marketing calls starting Tuesday, following new legislation that requires prior consent from consumers. According to the law passed by the French parliament in May 2025, companies must obtain free and specific consent before making these calls.

Despite this ban, the consumer protection regulator warned that it does not completely eliminate the occurrence of phone scams. Companies engaged in telemarketing are now obligated to adhere to these new guidelines to avoid penalties.

The new regulation was reported by several sources, including ECO, which highlighted the requirement for consumer consent. The change in legislation was deemed necessary to protect consumer rights in the context of unsolicited calls.

In response to the new legislation, a consumer advocacy group praised the ban, considering it a significant achievement in the fight against unwanted marketing calls, although concerns remain about the overall effectiveness of its implementation.