Unwanted promotional calls have become a nuisance for many consumers. In France, a new regulation prohibits telemarketing calls unless consumers have given prior consent.
As of August 11, France has implemented a ban on telemarketing calls that do not have the explicit consent of the consumer. This shift to an 'opt-in' system means that companies must obtain permission before making such calls, reversing the previous practice where consumers had to opt out.
Exceptions apply for calls related to existing contracts or when consumers have explicitly agreed to receive promotional calls. Consumers can withdraw their consent at any time. Companies that violate this regulation could face fines of up to €375,000 (approximately $500,000).
The introduction of this stringent regulation is largely due to widespread consumer fatigue regarding unwanted calls. It is estimated that about three-quarters of the French population receives unsolicited sales calls at least once a week. Although there was already an opt-out system in place, its effectiveness has been questioned due to non-compliance by some companies.
So, can South Korea also effectively curb unwanted telemarketing calls?
In South Korea, the Fair Trade Commission oversees the 'Do Not Call' registration system, known as Do Not Call (두낫콜), which is operated by the Korea Consumer Agency. Consumers can register their mobile numbers to indicate their refusal to receive telemarketing calls.
However, the approach differs from that of France. While France requires companies to obtain consent before making promotional calls, South Korea allows consumers to express their refusal through systems like Do Not Call.
If consumers continue to receive telemarketing calls despite registering with Do Not Call, they can request explanations or file complaints through the system. Telemarketing companies are required to check their contact lists against the Do Not Call registry at least once every 30 days.
For calls and text messages from financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, and securities firms, a separate Do Not Call system for the financial sector is available for consumers to refuse such communications.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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