France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls under a new law that took effect Tuesday. Aimed at protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches, the ban has been described by one consumer group as a "small revolution."
The law stipulates that companies will no longer be allowed to advertise goods and services through cold calls without previous consent from consumers. Businesses are now required to obtain this prior consent before making contact.
Individuals and companies face hefty fines if they fail to comply with the new regulations. France joins other countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, which have employed policies to restrict unsolicited telemarketers for years.