Overview

• The French Parliament is poised to adopt a law banning unsolicited telemarketing without prior consumer consent, replacing the ineffective Bloctel opt-out system.
• The legislation allows exceptions only for calls related to ongoing contracts, strictly limited to relevant products or services.
• Penalties for violations will increase significantly, with fines up to €500,000 for individuals, 20% of annual turnover for companies, and prison terms of up to five years.
• The law also prohibits the automatic listing of fixed phone numbers in public directories and strengthens inter-agency data sharing for enforcement.
• The measure, part of a broader anti-fraud bill, will take effect on August 11, 2026, giving businesses over a year to comply.