Telemarketing calls persist despite new law

Several months after a new law was implemented to reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls, citizens continue to report receiving such calls frequently, with some individuals receiving nearly five per day, according to Senator Olivier Rietmann. He expressed concern about why the issue remains unresolved and questioned potential flaws in the regulatory system.

Senator raises concerns about enforcement

Rietmann asked the government what resources would be allocated to improve oversight, penalize non-compliant professionals, and better protect consumers. He emphasized that the situation highlights a key issue: "what is the point of passing a law if it does not change anything concretely in the daily lives of the French?" He noted that while the issue may seem minor compared to larger national or global challenges, it directly impacts people's daily experiences and contributes to public frustration and distrust in government actions.

Minister acknowledges the problem

The minister responsible for consumer affairs acknowledged the issue as "major," citing reports from a large number of consumers who had logged complaints on the SignalConso platform. This platform allows citizens to report unfair commercial practices and is managed by the French government to monitor consumer protection issues.

Challenges in enforcing the law

The minister explained that some unsolicited calls may continue because of a "misunderstanding of the opt-in rule" by some professionals, meaning they may not fully grasp the legal requirements for obtaining consent before making calls. Additionally, "workarounds" used by dishonest operators, especially those based abroad, make it harder to enforce the law effectively.

Fines imposed on non-compliant companies

The Direction générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des fraudes (DGCCRF), France's competition and consumer protection authority, has already issued fines totaling 11 million euros for violations. This includes a significant 6 million euro fine imposed on a single company found to be in breach of the regulations.