AI Generated Image
France's new law aims to shield consumers from intrusive calls
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- France has implemented a new law banning unsolicited telemarketing calls, requiring businesses to obtain prior consent before contacting consumers, with fines up to 375,000 euros per illegal call for companies.
- The law aims to address widespread consumer complaints, as authorities estimate that about 75% of people in France receive at least one unsolicited sales call weekly.
- Exceptions exist for companies contacting customers with whom they have existing contracts or those who have explicitly consented to marketing calls.
- The new regulation has raised concerns in Morocco, where up to 50,000 call center jobs linked to French telemarketing services could be at risk, given the country's significant outsourcing industry.
- Similar bans exist in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, while others such as the US, Canada, and the UK rely on opt-out systems to limit unsolicited marketing calls.
