Telemarketing complaints in France remain high

Since France implemented a ban on unsolicited telemarketing this summer, over 43,000 reports have been filed with authorities between early August and late September. This number, though lower than previous years, suggests that the practice is still widespread despite being illegal.

New rules require explicit consumer consent

The new regulations, which took effect on August 11, 2026, require explicit, prior, and traceable consumer consent for any unsolicited commercial calls. However, the French Competition Authority (DGCCRF) has noted that some professionals in the sector are still finding ways to bypass these rules.

Energy renovation calls still a problem

Many of the complaints filed through the SignalConso platform and the Bloctel platform concern calls related to energy renovation. This sector has been prohibited from using telemarketing since 2020, yet the practice continues to be a point of concern for consumers.

Complaint numbers have declined compared to earlier this year

The DGCCRF said it is "too early to draw conclusions" about the real impact of the new rules. Monitoring of the complaint platforms has not shown a significant increase in reports compared to previous years, even though the number of complaints is lower than in the first months of 2026.

Previous years saw a rise in complaints and fines

In the first months of 2026, more than 150,000 reports were recorded. For the entire year of 2025, the DGCCRF had recorded 287,000 alerts, up from 266,000 in 2024. Over 11 million euros in fines were imposed on companies found in violation of the telemarketing rules.

Public frustration with telemarketing remains high

A survey published in February by the association Que Choisir Ensemble found that 97% of the French said they were "annoyed" by the constant calls. Whether the new system will effectively reduce these complaints remains to be seen, with more inspections and sanctions expected to provide clarity in the future.