France implements new law requiring explicit consent for telephone solicitation

A new law in France, effective August 11, 2026, has fundamentally changed commercial telephone solicitation by requiring explicit prior consent from consumers. This reform replaces the previous Bloctel opposition system, shifting the burden of proof to businesses, which must now demonstrate that a prospect has personally agreed to be contacted.

The regulation has significant implications for business models, particularly the practice of referral-based marketing, which is now illegal without the direct consent of the referred individual. Companies are being forced to redesign customer acquisition processes to ensure traceability of consent.

Despite the legislative intent to curb unwanted calls, reports suggest the law has not yet achieved its goal. The Signal Conso platform has recorded approximately 16,000 reports in the first month—nearly double the previous average. Critics note that while legitimate companies may comply, fraudulent entities operating from abroad or using spoofed numbers continue to bypass the regulations with impunity.