ASCI upholds complaints against 95 misleading ads in December

Advertising watchdog ASCI has upheld complaints against 95 misleading advertisements in December, including those of Reliance Jio Infocomm, Reckitt Benckiser, Dabur, Emami Go Air, Pernod Ricard, among others.
During the month, ASCI received 125 complaints, out of which it upheld 58 in the health care category, ten in food and beverages, nine in personal care, four in education and 14 advertisements from other categories.
The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the ad regulator upheld the complaints against new telecom operator Reliance Jio Infocomm, which claimed to be the "Best 4G Network with lowest data".
"The advertisement's claim, "Best 4G Network with lowest data rates globally" is misleading by ambiguity and implication of it being among the best in the world," said ASCI in its order.

The ad regulator also upheld three complaints against FMCG firm Emami for its product Fair and Handsome cream, as its claims were "not substantiated" and was "misleading by implication".
Commenting on the order, a Emami Spokesperson said: "These are old cases of advertising that was done many months back. We are a responsible advertiser and take cognizance of ASCI's views and interpretation of our brand communication, which has been in divergence to the intent of the brand."

Complaint against Philips Electronics India was also upheld after its advertisement of 'Electric Shaver cut the hair not the skin' was found misleading.

"It implies that shaving razors cut the skin and not the hair and unfairly denigrates shaving razors in general", ASCI said.
The ad regulator also upheld complaint against UK-based FMCG major Reckitt Benckiser terming its claim of 'Sabun se saccha hai, sabun se accha hai' for its Dettol Liquid Handwash as "misleading by ambiguity".
It has also pulled spirits maker Pernod Ricard India for its ad Seagram's Royal Stag through surrogate advertisement.
"The advertisement is misleading by implication and has reference to the words "Make it Large / Large jiyo" and contravened chapters... Of the ASCI Code," it said.
Similarly, Hewlett Packard India was also pulled for its HP Ink Tank Printing for claiming 10 paise printing.

"The ad shows an A4 size Black & White border-less photograph of Eiffel Tower being printed and the protagonist states that "Eiffel Tower sirf 10 paise mein". It was noted that the 10 paise printing is possible only for certain limited coverage of black text matter and not for a photographic image contrary to what is being depicted in the advertisement," said ASCI.
Private carrier Go Air was also pulled for its ad claiming low fares.
"The ad claim "Fly smart with our low fares. Fares Starting from Rs 736 (All inclusive)", was not substantiated and is misleading by ambiguity and exaggeration," ASCI said.

Queries sent to Reliance Jio Infocomm, Reckitt Benckiser, Pernod Ricard, Philips Electronics and Hewlett Packard India remained unanswered.