3 weeks ago
France bans cold calls with fines up to €375,000
In France, people were getting very tired of phone calls from strangers trying to sell them things.
So the government made a new rule to stop these annoying calls.
Now, companies cannot call people to sell things unless the person says it is okay first.
If they break the rule, they have to pay very big fines.
People can also report bad callers on a government website.
Almost all French people said they were annoyed by these calls.
France already had a list called Bloctel to stop the calls, but many companies ignored it.
Other countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada have similar rules.
But the new law worries Morocco, where many jobs depend on answering calls for French companies.
Morocco says 50,000 jobs could be in danger because of this new law.
France's new law banning unsolicited telemarketing calls took effect on August 11.
Individuals making illegal calls face fines up to €75,000 per call, while companies face up to €375,000 per call.
Calls targeting vulnerable individuals can lead to five years in prison and a €500,000 fine.
Consumer group Que Choisir Ensemble called the ban a 'historic measure' to end daily harassment.
Morocco fears the law endangers 50,000 call centre jobs in an industry generating over $1 billion in annual revenue.
- Who
- The French government led by Emmanuel Macron, consumer groups such as Que Choisir Ensemble, and Morocco's call centre industry.
- What
- A new law banning unsolicited telemarketing calls with heavy fines per illegal call.
- Where
- France, with concerns raised in neighbouring Morocco.
- When
- Effective August 11.
- Why
- As a response to years of consumer complaints about telemarketing harassment.
Consumer protection advocates
Telemarketing industry and Morocco
Consumer harassment vs. industry livelihoods
Consumer protection advocates
The ban ends years of 'relentless harassment' that 97 per cent of French people said annoyed them; consumer groups call it a 'historic measure'.
Telemarketing industry and Morocco
Morocco says the law endangers 50,000 call centre jobs in an industry that attracted around $100 million in investment and generates over $1 billion in annual revenue.
Effectiveness of the ban
Consumer protection advocates
Supporters say strict prior-consent rules and heavy fines will finally stop companies that ignored the existing Bloctel list.
Telemarketing industry and Morocco
Industry figures note the sector has already diversified beyond pure telemarketing, which now accounts for only 15-20 per cent of activity, and exceptions still allow companies to contact customers with whom they have a contractual relationship.
Key facts
- Law effective date
- August 11
- Fine per illegal call - individuals
- Up to €75,000 (Rs 82.57 lakh)
- Fine per illegal call - companies
- Up to €375,000 (Rs 4.12 crore)
- Maximum penalty for targeting vulnerable individuals
- 5 years in prison and €500,000 fine
- French population annoyed by telemarketing calls
- 97 per cent
- Calls blocked daily via Bloctel
- More than 38 million
- Consumer organisations calling for ban in 2024
- 11
- Moroccan jobs at risk
- 50,000
Quotes
Youssef Chraïbi
President of the Moroccan Outsourcing Services Federation
“Pure telemarketing now accounts for only 15 per cent to 20 per cent of total activity.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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