Select Language

English

Down Icon

Select Country

France

Down Icon

How to protect yourself from AI-powered cold calling?

How to protect yourself from AI-powered cold calling?
Article reserved for subscribers
Artificial Intelligence (AI): From Fascination to Concern
Electricity bills, insurance, MaPrimeRénov'… At a time when cold calling targets millions of French people every day, AI is gradually making its way into these conversations. "Libération" looks at the different ways to protect yourself against it.
According to the CNIL, 73% of French people have reported an increase in the number of canvassing attempts since 2023. (Kirill Smyslov/Getty Images)

It's happened to everyone. Your phone rings, the number is unfamiliar, you pick up, and on the other end of the line is a voice that sounds natural: "Hello, you probably want to hang up, but..." In reality, the person you're talking to is none other than a conversational AI, capable of imitating human intonation, adapting its responses according to reactions, accessing personal databases, and even identifying weak points in the conversation. Recently, these AI-driven cold calls have been on the rise, whether it's to lower your electricity bills, take out insurance, or renovate your home. "It's a way to reach many more people, more regularly, and in an automated way," Alexandra Iteanu, a lawyer specializing in intellectual and digital property, observed for Libération .

As proof, according to the latest figures from the National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties, 73% of French people have reported an increase in the number of canvassing attempts since 2023. Among them, 45% say they have spoken to "ultra-sophisticated" automated systems.

To tackle the phenomenon at its roots, the National Assembly

Libé alerts, news and investigations not to be missed
Libé alerts, news and investigations not to be missed
The ideal morning briefing to start the day off right
The ideal morning briefing to start the day off right
The articles, editorials, forums or chronicles that cause debate
The articles, editorials, forums or chronicles that cause debate
News, politics, lifestyle... discover all our newsletters
News, politics, lifestyle... discover all our newsletters
Libération

Libération

Similar News

All News
Animated ArrowAnimated ArrowAnimated Arrow