ASCI Reports Surge in Complaints About Indian Ad Violations
According to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the organization received 4,500 complaints about violations in Indian ads between April and September. This marks a 34% increase from the previous year, indicating a growing concern for advertising ethics in the country.
In response to these complaints, ASCI reviewed 27% more advertisements, totaling 3,501 ads. Of these, 564 (16%) were identified as potential legal violations, signifying a 22% increase over previous years. However, 35% of ads were swiftly withdrawn or amended without contestation, while 47% were found to be in violation of the ASCI Code, requiring immediate withdrawal or modification.
Digital media accounted for 79% of reported violations, demonstrating the dominance of online platforms in propagating non-compliant ads. This was followed by print media at 17%, television at 3%, and other mediums at 2%. Consumer complaints made up a substantial 21.3% of the total processed complaints, highlighting the public’s active role in upholding advertising standards.
A significant aspect of the report was the prevalence of problematic advertisements in the digital realm, with influencers linked to 22% of the flagged ads. This underscores the challenges associated with effectively monitoring and regulating advertising practices in the digital landscape.
The healthcare sector emerged as a significant contributor to non-compliant ads, constituting 21% of the processed advertisements, particularly due to the proliferation of drug and medicine advertisements on digital platforms.
Additionally, real money gaming topped the non-compliance list, outranking education and healthcare as the most violative sector. Despite ASCI’s guidelines, 92% of ads the organization reviewed lacked crucial risk disclaimers, indicating a widespread issue within the gaming industry.
ASCI’s findings underscore the need for stricter adherence to advertising regulations, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare and online gaming. Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary-General of ASCI, emphasized the organization’s commitment to calling out advertisements and brands that violate the ASCI code, urging various sectors to commit to more responsible advertising.
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