New rules against call centers from August 19, 2025: why unwanted calls won't disappear

Starting August 19, 2025, a crackdown on call centers will go into effect, aimed at reducing unwanted calls and combating the fake numbers that pop up on our lines every day. Despite the new rules, unsolicited telemarketing won't disappear entirely, but it will be more difficult to be contacted by malicious operators.

Here's what you need to know.

Next Tuesday, new rules to combat aggressive telemarketing will come into force. AGCOM has established a ban on the use of fake Italian numbers , especially landlines, for commercial calls. While this represents a step forward, consumer associations say the measure alone won't be enough to stop the nuisance calls , which continue to bombard Italians' phones with offers on telephone services, energy, and other products.

Telemarketing in Italy generates an estimated turnover of around €3 billion annually , with over 2,000 call centers and approximately 80,000 employees. Alongside legal operators, there is a parallel network of foreign call centers that operate in violation of regulations and privacy , causing millions of unwanted calls. Despite 32 million Italians registered in the Public Registry of Opposition, each citizen receives an average of 5 to 8 commercial calls per week.

Aggressive telemarketing, new rules starting August 19: why unwanted calls won't go away.

According to AGCOM, the ban will initially affect calls from abroad using spoofed Italian landline numbers , starting August 19. From November 19, the measure will also extend to spoofed Italian mobile numbers , with fines of up to one million euros for those who fail to comply.

The ban will not cover calls from foreign numbers with foreign prefixes or calls from Italian mobile numbers until November, creating a regulatory vacuum that allows aggressive telemarketing to continue. Associations such as Consumerismo No Profit have launched petitions to cancel contracts signed over the phone, highlighting how the energy sector alone causes consumers economic losses exceeding €2 billion annually, with average costs 10-20% higher than market rates.

The new AGCOM rules represent a first step against uncontrolled telemarketing, but they won't be enough to completely stop unwanted calls. In this regard, it's important for consumers to know their rights and adopt tools to protect themselves, avoiding risky contracts and protecting their privacy.