France Bans Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls

nytimes.com

27 points·JumpCrisscross··5 comments

Let’s see if it actually changes anything. France has had a system called “bloctel” that was supposed to opt you out of getting telemarketing calls if you signed up. I’ve been on it for 3 years and I get the same sales calls every 2 days.

The best part is, to actually forward the details to the government to get them to investigate, you have to fill in a 3 page document of info about who it was that called you.

I personally don’t see it.

I don't support it, but I will explain you why: you had three exceptions to bloctel: free formations, 'ma prime renov' (basically solar panels, insulation, heat pumps for homeowners), along with services for independent professional.

Which conveniently, target three really interesting segments: people looking for a job change, homeowners, and independent workers, who often don't have a secretary and get sold very expensive services by those companies (look "Sitbon enquete" to see more details if you wish).

Hopefully the new law don't have the same provisions.

The french are setting the example.

I think the biggest issue is fraud. They won't follow any rules. I've been getting a lot of calls of people saying I called them (I didn't). I contacted Vodafone and they said that fraudsters are able to change the ongoing number so if people don't answer and return the call they will go to a "real" person's number. Also technically people are already forbidden to contact you because of GDPR. They need prior permission to do it and they go ahead and contact you anyway. Good initiative and if they "crack the code" amazing, because more of Europe will follow

[dupe] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49192829

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