France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls

France has banned unsolicited telemarketing phone calls, in what a consumer group is hailing as a "small revolution" for the sales industry.

The Netherlands, Germany and other countries have employed policies to restrict unsolicited telemarketers for years.

The law that took effect Tuesday requires businesses to obtain prior consent before contacting consumers.

Cold calling is coming to an end in France, with one consumer group calling the ban a "small revolution".

France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls under a new law aimed at protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches and shielding vulnerable people from fraudulent commercial practices.

France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls under a new law aimed at protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches

Individuals, companies face hefty fines it they fail to comply with the new law.

Companies will no longer be allowed to advertise goods and services through cold calls without previous consent from consumers.