ADVERTISING STANDARDS COUNCIL OF INDIA ASCI
SC mandate may halt fresh Ad releases
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has urged advertisers and broadcasters to refrain from releasing new advertisements between June 18 and July 9, awaiting clarity from the Supreme Court on the self-declaration certificate (SDC) mandate. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has instructed advertisers to submit SDCs before publishing, airing, or displaying new ads from June 18 onwards. Existing advertisements can continue to run, as SDCs are only required for new ads.
D2C brands reduce ads amid complaints about misleading claims
Honasa Consumer, owner of Mamaearth, has reduced influencer posts after being named the biggest violator of advertising content for FY24. Other D2C players like HealthKart, FirstCry, and Lenskart were also noted as violators. ASCI's report highlighted misleading claims and promotion of harmful products as common violations.
Self-declaration on ads should be done by June 18: MIB to media
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting meeting with advertising and media bodies ended in a stalemate over the implementation of the self-declaration certificate mandate by June 18, citing a Supreme Court order.
MIB calls meeting of media and ad bodies to discuss self-declarations
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has called a meeting of media and ad industry bodies to discuss the issue of advertisers giving self-declaration certificates (SDCs) for broadcasting and publishing ads on TV, print, digital, and radio from June 18. SDCs will be given to broadcasters and publishers as proof at the time of issuing ads, certifying that their ads do not contain misleading claims and comply with regulatory guidelines.
Beware! Misleading ad-game tricking Indians rather than offering ‘Umeedo Wali Dhoop’?
Advertisements have left a lasting impact over the years, from Amul's iconic "Utterly Butterly Delicious" to Cadbury's memorable ads. However, misleading claims in ads, especially in the digital space, are increasing. ASCI found that 81% of the 8,299 ads evaluated in 2023-24 were misleading. Social media influencers often promote products without proper regulation. Technological advancements and ethical guidelines are needed to ensure transparency and authenticity in advertising, to maintain consumer trust and loyalty.
81% of ad violations were on account of misleading claims in FY24: ASCI
ASCI examined 10,093 complaints and investigated 8299 advertisements. The majority of violations were on account of misleading claims at 81%, followed by ads that promoted harmful situations or products at 34% (the same ad can be processed for multiple objections).
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Social commerce set to scale, but concern of authenticity looms large: Industry
The coming together of e-commerce and social media to create a new business channel, social commerce is increasingly gaining traction in the retail space. Consumers discover and purchase goods and services directly through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube among others.
MahaRERA ties up with ASCI to identify non-complying real estate developers
The collaboration, a first by any real estate regulator in the country, is aimed at protecting homebuyers who may decide to buy or invest in properties that are yet to be or not allowed to be sold for any specific reason.
ASCI issues guidelines to promote honest environmental claims in ads
The guidelines require comparative claims like "greener" or "friendlier" to be supported by evidence of the advertised product or service providing environmental benefits over its previous product or competitor's product. Ads must not mislead consumers about the environmental benefit that a product or service offers by highlighting the absence of an environmentally damaging ingredient if that ingredient is not usually found in competing products or services, the guidelines state.
Dabur Red toothpaste ad: Delhi HC allows Dabur to use tagline with some modification
Dabur India filed a petition in the High Court challenging the Advertising Standards Council of India's (ASCI) directive issued on September 30. The order required Dabur to alter its advertisement, refrain from publishing the misleading ad, and address concerns about unfair portrayal and exaggeration.
Indian consumers want more inclusivity in advertising: Kantar, ASCI-UA report
The report, which draws insights from large advertisers such as Diageo, HUL and Disney Star, said key dimensions of diversity and inclusion dwelt on age, gender, sexual orientation, race, physical appearance, social class, disability and religion. Compared to 33 per cent consumers across the world, 48 per cent Indians expressed the need for more inclusive representation by brands, according to the report.
Digital media continues to be biggest source of ad violations: ASCI
ASCI observed a significant increase in ads directly violating the Drug and Magic Remedies Act of 1954, leading to the issuance of intimations to advertisers advising withdrawal or modification of the advertisement. The advertising watchdog referred 565 advertisements to the Ministry of AYUSH in just six months, compared to 464 ads referred in the last financial year.
Offshore betting ads concerning, says ASCI amid increased scrutiny on betting apps
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has expressed concerns over the advertising of betting apps featuring well-known celebrities, as scrutiny on such apps and their links to celebrities widens. ASCI emphasized that betting is illegal in many parts of India, making its advertising impermissible. The council highlighted the issue of offshore betting ads, featuring prominent Indian celebrities and being shown to Indian audiences, as a matter of concern.
Indian Society of Advertisers re-elects Sunil Kataria as Chairman for 2023-24
Sunil Kataria, the CEO of Raymond's Lifestyle Business, has been re-elected as the Chairman of the India Society of Advertisers (ISA) for 2023-24. Kataria aims to strengthen the ISA and provide support to its members in the digital advertising space. The ISA also plans to collaborate with industry organizations on initiatives such as a media charter and digital measurement.
ASCI looks to nip bad ads in the bud, launches academy for influencer certification
The ASCI academy will provide courses for a range of people from students to influencers, in line with advertising regulations and ethical practices.
ASCI's new academy to encourage 'responsible, progressive' advertising
The academy, which will formally launch on August 28, looks to work with current and future industry professionals looking to understand advertising guidelines better, with greater consciousness and compliance. The Academy will also offer consumer education programs and undertake research in evolving areas of advertising that impact consumer interests.
ASCI’s revised guidelines for finfluencers: All your questions answered
The move comes even as financial influencers, called ‘finfluencers’, continue to remain under the scanner of market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for rampant violations of disclosure guidelines, among others.
New rules demand celebrities and influencers be honest about health product promotions
India's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued new guidelines mandating that public figures who offer health advice provide "clear explanations" when discussing health-related products or clarifying certification when endorsing merchandise. Medical professionals and fitness experts need to provide evidence to support any claims, and influencers must clearly separate their personal opinions from their professional guidance and include a statement that their content is not a substitute for professional medical advice. However, the rules do not extend to general health advice not related to specific products or services.
Disclosure or disclaimer must for celebrities, influencers endorsing as health experts: Govt
The government said "disclosure or disclaimer" is must for celebrities, influencers and virtual influencers while endorsing as health experts or medical practitioners as it issued additional guidelines on Thursday. Even medical practitioners, health and fitness experts holding certifications from recognized institutions are required to "disclose" that they are certified health/fitness experts and medical practitioners while sharing information or promoting products or services or making any health-related claims.
ASCI broadens celebrity definition to include influencers having high followers, earnings
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has expanded the definition of 'celebrities' in its ad code to cover influencers having over 500,000 followers or earning above Rs 40 lakh ($54,600) annually. Celebrities are required to conduct due diligence before endorsing a brand and provide evidence of the same when called upon by Asci. The amendment reflects the fact that social media influencers have created new centres of mass influence, and follows over 500 instances of misleading ads featuring celebrities being processed by Asci in the last financial year.
Crowdsourcing platforms need to disclose fees: ASCI
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has released guidelines stating that crowdsourcing platforms must now disclose fees charged during charitable donation campaigns. The new regulations also specified that any graphic images used should not display minors or children in distress. Crowdsourcing platforms will now have to make clear the percentage or fee levied from donor funds used for administrative purposes. Currently, platforms such as Ketto deduct 5% of donations made.
Advertising body norms target online deceptive design patterns
The Advertising Standards Council of India has released guidelines to tackle the issue of dark patterns in online advertising that will cover advertising in digital media including ecommerce, food delivery apps and websites
ASCI releases guidelines on 'dark patterns' in advertising; to set up task force with Consumer Affairs department
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has released fresh guidelines to combat deceptive design patterns in online advertising, and said it will set up a larger task force with the Department of Consumer Affairs to examine such patterns beyond advertising.
Advertising Standards Council releases draft guidelines for education sector
Ads must also not portray average or poor-scoring students as demotivated, depressed, unhappy or receiving less appreciation from parents, teachers, or peers, the draft guidelines state.
Regulator to keep eye on violation of ad rules during IPL
Last year during the IPL, the ad regulator had named 14 brands to be found violating its code of guidelines. Since then, the regulator has revised and tightened guidelines for categories such as gaming, edtech, D2C brands, tobacco-related products, celebrity-led ads, and disclaimers.
ASCI tightens disclaimer guidelines
Manisha Kapoor, chief executive officer and secretary-general of ASCI said: “Over-use of disclaimers made it difficult for consumers to understand all the information in the ads.” She said hence, it was important that claims are crafted in a way that minimises the need for qualificatory disclaimers. “Where disclaimers are needed, they should be presented in a manner that someone who is interested in reading them has the opportunity to do so,” Kapoor added.
Disclosure norms tightened for social media influencers
Influencers or celebrities should be able to substantiate the claims made by them in promotions, according to the guidelines.
Govt panel to develop framework on checking fake, deceptive reviews in e-commerce
Under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has been established, w.e.f July 24, 2020 to regulate matters, inter alia, relating to false or misleading advertisements which are prejudicial to the interests of public and consumers as a class, said the Minister of State, Consumer Affairs, Ashwini Choubey in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
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