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 byelection follows the death of MLA Rajendra Dholakia, a Gujarati businessman-turned-politician of the BJD who also served as a minister in the previous government.
Cooperation Ministry takes a step towards financial inclusion with Sahkar DigiPay and Sahkar DigiLoan. They will enable faster and seamless access to financial services in small towns.
Bihar is blessed with a land more fertile for revolutions than any in India. Why has it fallen so far behind then? Constant obsession with politics is at the root of its destruction.
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