Healthcare sector accounted for a maximum 19% or 1,569 of 8,229 advertisements scrutinised by ASCI during 2023-24. Nearly 86% of drugs found illegal were on digital platforms.
Advertising Standards Council of India also says such ads must not disrespect dignity of those on whose behalf appeal is made & not mislead consumers or cause them unjustified distress.
The new guidelines, applicable from 1 September, aim to curb companies misleading consumers about final price, remaining stock, among other 'dark patterns' in online advertising.
In response to manipulative advertisement techniques violating consumer rights, DoCA and ASCI are encouraging platforms to create user-friendly spaces.
Use of disclaimers must be kept to minimum, say amended guidelines from Advertising Standards Council of India. This comes in backdrop of new govt rules on social media influencers.
Social media influencers are also increasingly violating norms, says ASCI, which received 14% more complaints against ads in April-September 2022 than same period last year.
No clear central law on what differentiates brand extensions from surrogate ads, other issues like privacy also proving difficult to navigate, self-regulatory body’s CEO says in interview.
One can feel the difference the moment the train enters Kerala—cleaner railway platforms, more hygienic food stalls, orderly passengers, no stench, and, of course, fresh air.
Other key promises in the budget include AI- and other technology-enabled services for farmers and continuation of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which will have the same outlay.
IRIS Lavan was in the region for the International Fleet Review held last month and ‘sought urgent docking in Kochi citing technical issues,’ it is learnt.
Trump has ushered in the age of humiliation. His method is to push around America’s friends rudely and publicly. He knows none of them can afford to fight back.
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