Advertising watchdog upholds 42 complaints in December 2015

Advertising space watchdog Advertising Standards Council of India's (ASCI) Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) on Thursday said it upheld 42 complaints against 79 advertisements reported in December 2015.

"Out of 42 advertisements which complaints were upheld, eight belonged to the healthcare category, nine to the education category, followed by seven in the E-commerce category, three in telecommunication and broadband category and 15 advertisements from other categories," said ASCI in a statement.

According to CCC, the eight healthcare product/service advertisements were misleading or false or not adequately/scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI's code.

In E-commerce segment, CCC found fault with Snapdeal's free delivery claim, Uber India's "Switch to Uber @ Rs.9 per km period", and Mobikwik Systems Cashback offer among others as unsubstantiated.

Similarly, three complaints were filed against Airtel. "Airtel showcases a girl entering a room of friends in the night and tells them to use internet on their phone in the night because they will get 50 percent cash back the next day. Regardless of the disclaimer, the word 'Cash Back' in the claim '50 percent cash back on night internet' is incorrect and misleading," said ASCI.

Regarding Agarwal d2d Packers and Movers, ASCI highlighted that the claim "60 percent people in the country shift through us (Agarwal Packers and Movers)" was not substantiated.

On a Kentucky Fried Chicken's (KFC) advertisement claiming two pieces of chicken for Rs. 99, the regulator said regardless of the disclaimer in the advertisement, the advertisement shows the picture of a burger and two chicken pieces read in conjunction with the offer of "2 pcs for Rs.99" misleading by implication that the whole package costs Rs.99

Established in 1985, ASCI and its arm CCC deal with consumer complaints on advertisements considered false, misleading, indecent, illegal, leading to unsafe practices, being unfair to competition and others.