Tech News Desk – The Center on Monday said that there should not be any hidden condition in advertisements in the interest of consumers. Also, the hidden words in the ad must be prominently displayed and not as hashtags or links. Speaking at an event organized by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in Mumbai, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh on Monday stressed on the importance of driving social media advertising responsibly. He said that there are 50 crore social media users in the country, in such a situation everyone should fulfill their responsibility.
The Consumer Affairs Secretary said that influencers and celebrities are required to disclose any relationships they have with advertisers. If this does not happen then it can affect the reputation of those people along with the brand. He said that these disclosures should be well organized and without hashtags or links.
The secretary said that all the conditions and disclaimers should be visible on the photo. Video feature should mention it in both audio and video formats. It should be ensured that the advertisements do not mislead the consumers in any manner. The duty of manufacturers, service providers, advertisers and advertising agencies should be emphasized.
Secretary highlighted the role of striking a balance between protecting the interests of businesses and consumers. He reiterated the sentiment shared by Prime Minister Modi that the two should go hand in hand. Underlining the difference between good and bad advertisements, he said the intention of the government is not to hinder the growth of businesses, but to ensure that ethical standards are met.