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.
The dynamics between Europe and Russia have gone so south that mending fences looks like an uphill task—even as the US swings between sanctions and olive branches.
Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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