ASCI Update: Complaints against 51 of 98 ads upheld in October 2015

Of these, 19 ads belonged to the education segment, 16 ads belonged to the health/personal care segment and five ads belonged to the telecommunications/broadband segment.

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), a self-regulatory body that propagates responsible advertising, has released a report about the complaints it received and upheld in the month of October. ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) received complaints against 98 ads; complaints against 51 ads were upheld.

Of these, 19 belonged to the education segment, 16 belonged to the health/personal care segment and five belonged to the telecommunications/broadband segment. The rest of the objectionable ads belonged to other product categories.

Brands that were pulled up for their ads within the education segment include Byju Classes (GRE Coaching, CAT Coaching, GMAT Coaching Classes), CL Educate, Rao Edusolutions (Rao IIT Academy), Exam Victor (Online MBA entrance coaching), Career Institute of Commerce and Accounting, IMS Learning Resources (MBA CET), CATKing (CAT Toppers, CLAP Digital Marketing Course), CETKing Education (CAT 2015), Cheil India (Samsung Smart Learning), Clat Possible and Triumphant Institute of Management Education. Most of these ads were found to be objectionable due to their unsubstantiated, misleading and/or ambiguous claims.

Health and personal care brands whose ads were found objectionable include Procter & Gamble Home Products (Pantene shampoo), Colgate-Palmolive (India) (Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Enamel Repair), Novartis India (Otrivin nasal spray), Dabur India (Dabur Odomos mosquito repellent), Patanjali Ayurved (Kesh Kanti, Dant Kanti), Apollo Pharmacy (free home delivery service), Dr Ved Vyas Mishra, Sanjay Ayurvedic Baljiwan Pharmacy, Glamour World Ayurvedic Co (Rocket Capsules), MK Agrotech (Sunpure Refined Sunflower Oil), Vibes Healthcare (Vibes Weight Loss Assurance), Dr Gupta's Clinic, Raghav Lifestyle Products (Ajay Toothpaste), The Bodycare and Ayurwin Pharma (Nutrislim). Some products and services in this category were found to be in contravention of the provisions of the Drug & Magic Remedies Act and Chapter 1.1 and III.4 of the ASCI Code while some others carried misleading and unsubstantiated claims.

In the telecommunications and broadband segment, brands which were pulled up for having released misleading ads include Bharti Airtel (4G), Reliance Communication (Reliance Pro 3) and Aircel Business Solutions Discount (Free Coupons).

Besides the ones mentioned above, other brands that were pulled up for objectionable advertisements include IMG RELIANCE (Indian Super League), Times Global Broadcasting Co. (Times Now), Lenskart.com, Amazon.com Inc. (Redragon Wireless Mouse), Jubiliant Foodworks (Domino's Pizza), Pisces eServices (Food Panda), Telecomtalk.info, Polycab Wires, Vishnu Pouch Packaging, Nirmal One Spirit (Nirmal Builders), and Jaypee Infratech.

For the record, ASCI was established in 1985.In June 2015, the organisation launched a mobile app which lets consumers complain against offensive ads by clicking pictures of the same and sending it to ASCI instantly. Recall that recently ASCI received complaints against social networking site Facebook's Free Basics offering. One of the outdoor ads that has particularly caught ASCI's attention is the one that shows a henna-smeared hand, and whose body copy reads, 'Support the Connected India'.

Shweta Purandhare, ASCI's secretary general, has meanwhile responded to the same by seeking a response from Facebook, that is expected next week, which will include sending out campaign details to advertisers following which it will be taken up in ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council.