France to ban unsolicited telemarketing calls (lemonde.fr)

Article summary

France is set to ban unsolicited telemarketing calls, following a joint call by 11 consumer groups. The ban aims to reduce the number of unwanted calls received by consumers. The move is seen as a step towards protecting consumers from harassment and scams. The ban may not apply to businesses with an existing relationship with the recipient or those who have opted-in to receive calls.

Main themes

• Telemarketing ban
• Consumer protection
• Scams and harassment
• Freedom of speech
• Business regulations
• Telephone preference services

What commenters say

• The ban on unsolicited telemarketing calls is a necessary measure to protect consumers from harassment and scams.
• Some argue that the ban may not be effective in reducing scam calls, as scammers often ignore existing regulations and use spoofed numbers.
• Others believe that the ban is an infringement on freedom of speech and may unfairly impact businesses that rely on telemarketing.
• There is a need for a technical solution, such as a national whitelist, to effectively implement the ban and allow legitimate calls to reach consumers.
• Some consumers have found success in reducing unwanted calls by using call screening services or invoking GDPR regulations.
• The ban may have unintended consequences, such as making it difficult for businesses to contact customers or for charities to solicit donations.
• A whitelist managed by the government, allowing consumers to opt-in to receive calls from specific parties, could be a potential solution.
• Some argue that the ban is not enough and that more needs to be done to prevent scams and harassment, such as holding companies responsible for allowing spoofed calls.