Monaco's National Council Calls for Enhanced Measures Against Unsolicited Telemarketing
Rising concerns over unsolicited calls prompt calls for legislative action in Monaco, mirroring issues faced in France.
In Monaco, as in France, instances of abusive telemarketing have become pervasive, prompting significant concern among the population.
Recent statistics indicate that 72% of French individuals report being contacted by solicitors at least once a week, with 38% receiving such calls daily.
A staggering 97% of survey respondents express annoyance at these intrusive telephone solicitations, which range from offers to purchase kitchens and solar panels to invitations via SMS to call premium numbers or visit websites to retrieve packages.
On March 6, 2025, the French National Assembly reviewed a proposed law seeking to prohibit unsolicited commercial calls.
This legislative measure has already been passed by the Senate.
Previous attempts to regulate telemarketing through the Hamon Law of 2014 and the Naegelen Law of 2020 have not achieved their intended outcomes.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Bloctel system in 2016, designed to allow individuals to block calls from businesses with which they do not have a contract, has not proven effective for business phone numbers, and remains poorly known among the public.
In 2023, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) carried out 5,300 inspections, resulting in fines totaling €4.4 million.
The DGCCRF reports that the customer relations sector employs between 29,000 and 40,000 individuals in outsourced call centers, with some political figures expressing concern that targeting this sector may lead to job losses.
In Monaco, while no specific statistics are available, the sentiment regarding unsolicited calls appears similar to that in France.
In response, the National Council has urged the Monegasque government to implement effective measures to combat this nuisance, particularly for vulnerable groups such as minors and the elderly.
Thomas Brezzo, President of the National Council, emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, "Beyond the unbearable annoyance, some individuals may fall victim to offers that are often fraudulent or completely unsuitable for the Monegasque context.
It is time for measures commensurate with this widespread issue to be enacted." The development of any legislative response, similar to France, remains to be seen.
Recent statistics indicate that 72% of French individuals report being contacted by solicitors at least once a week, with 38% receiving such calls daily.
A staggering 97% of survey respondents express annoyance at these intrusive telephone solicitations, which range from offers to purchase kitchens and solar panels to invitations via SMS to call premium numbers or visit websites to retrieve packages.
On March 6, 2025, the French National Assembly reviewed a proposed law seeking to prohibit unsolicited commercial calls.
This legislative measure has already been passed by the Senate.
Previous attempts to regulate telemarketing through the Hamon Law of 2014 and the Naegelen Law of 2020 have not achieved their intended outcomes.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Bloctel system in 2016, designed to allow individuals to block calls from businesses with which they do not have a contract, has not proven effective for business phone numbers, and remains poorly known among the public.
In 2023, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) carried out 5,300 inspections, resulting in fines totaling €4.4 million.
The DGCCRF reports that the customer relations sector employs between 29,000 and 40,000 individuals in outsourced call centers, with some political figures expressing concern that targeting this sector may lead to job losses.
In Monaco, while no specific statistics are available, the sentiment regarding unsolicited calls appears similar to that in France.
In response, the National Council has urged the Monegasque government to implement effective measures to combat this nuisance, particularly for vulnerable groups such as minors and the elderly.
Thomas Brezzo, President of the National Council, emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, "Beyond the unbearable annoyance, some individuals may fall victim to offers that are often fraudulent or completely unsuitable for the Monegasque context.
It is time for measures commensurate with this widespread issue to be enacted." The development of any legislative response, similar to France, remains to be seen.
