French lawmakers move to stop annoying telemarketer calls

France has introduced new legislation to combat unwanted telemarketing calls, which will require companies to prove that individuals have given their explicit consent before being contacted. The law, expected to come into effect in August 2026, aims to protect citizens from harassment and potential scams. According to a recent survey, 97% of French people find these cold calls irritating, with many using tactics such as spoofing phone numbers to reach their targets.
The legislation was prompted by the failure of a existing service, Bloctel, to effectively prevent spam calls. Minister Amelie de Montchalin emphasized that the law will safeguard vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, from falling victim to massive fraud schemes. Senator Pierre-Jean Verzelen, who promoted the measure, stated that companies will have a year to adapt to the new regulations, after which there will be no exceptions.
The law will allow companies to contact individuals only if they have an existing contract or have given explicit consent. This move is part of a broader effort to protect citizens from unwanted marketing and potential scams. Spain is also considering similar action, with its government proposing that telecom operators block calls from firms not using a dedicated prefix to identify themselves as commercial callers.