You've registered on a list meant to stop unwanted phone calls, yet your phone still rings with commercial solicitations. This situation has left many French households frustrated, especially after the closure of Bloctel, a public service that allowed people to opt out of commercial calls. On August 11, 2026, Bloctel was replaced by a new legal framework requiring explicit consumer consent before any commercial call can be made. However, this change does not mean that all unwanted calls have disappeared—some types of calls are still legally allowed, even if you are on an anti-solicitation list. One of the major exceptions is survey institutes. These organizations are not bound by the anti-solicitation list because their calls are considered to serve the general interest or freedom of expression, rather than commercial purposes. For example, a call asking for your opinion on a political issue or a product does not violate the rules, even if your number is on a protected list. Similarly, calls from companies with which you already have an ongoing contract—such as your electricity provider or bank—are also legal. These companies can contact you to offer products or services related to your existing contract, as long as there is a current agreement in place. Non-profit organizations, political parties, and debt collection agencies are also exempt from the anti-solicitation rules. A call from a charity asking for a donation, a political group during an election, or a company trying to collect a debt are all considered legal, even if you are on a protection list. These calls are not seen as traditional commercial solicitations, as they are linked to public interest, political activity, or existing obligations. Under the new "prior consent" regime, commercial companies must now get your explicit agreement before contacting you. This consent must be valid for no more than one year and can be withdrawn during the call. However, prior agreements made before August 11, 2026—such as for newsletters or contests—do not count as valid consent for phone calls. If you receive a call that seems to violate the rules, you can report it via the SignalConso platform. Before assuming the call is due to a technical error or hacking, it is important to determine its nature—whether it is a survey, a follow-up from an existing contract, or a legitimate call from a non-profit or political group. Ultimately, while the new system aims to reduce unwanted calls, it also highlights that complete protection from commercial solicitations has never been guaranteed, whether under Bloctel or the new legal framework.