The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) and the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) have teamed up to combat misleading advertisements in the digital age. The ASCI’s code aligns with guidelines enforced by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). Any non-compliant ads will be forwarded to CCPA for action.
CCPA recognizes that violations of ASCI’s code may breach the Consumer Protection Act of 2019. Non-compliant advertisements will be promptly addressed by CCPA in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act 2019. ASCI will escalate cases of misleading ads to CCPA for appropriate action.
Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary-General of ASCI, expressed gratitude for the partnership with CCPA and DoCA. The collaboration is aimed at enhancing self-regulation in advertising. The agreement comes in response to the evolving landscape of digital advertising.
Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary of DoCA, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between CCPA and ASCI to address infringements effectively. Joint consultations have been held on various advertising issues like influencer guidelines, greenwashing, and surrogate advertising. The partnership aims to tackle new challenges in digital advertising with a united approach.
