6 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
6 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

U.K Advertising Standards Authority gets online power

by Valdor Kiebach
5 replies
This could prove to be interesting. I wonder how they will be able to control the social networks.

'The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is extending its remit to cover the online realm. It means that online marketing and ads will, from 1 March 2011, be subject to the same strict advertising rules as traditional media.
The ASA will also have the power to ban marketing statements on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter'


...


'The new rules will apply to adverts and any statement on a website that is intended to sell products or services.'


...


'The ASA will also be given new sanctions against online ads found to be in breach of its regulations, including the removal of paid-for search advertising and the right to place its own advertisements highlighting an advertiser's non-compliance.'


BBC News - Advertising Standards Authority gets online power
#advertising #authority #online #power #standards
  • Profile picture of the author David Walker
    Interesting stuff. I can't see this being a problem if it means a lot of the misleading junk gets taken down or even if scammers are named and shamed.
    Signature
    Download My Private Collection of 100 "Copy & Paste Profit Templates" That Have Earned My Clients & I Multiple Thousands of Dollars Online... For FREE!
    More Cool Stuff: My Blog | Need Traffic? Mine Converts... | Special Bonus (Just Because!)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2543674].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Optimist Cam
    They want to regulate the internet. Id like to see them try. I dont think they realise how much extra work they have just taken on.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2543675].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    If they're getting rid of lies and BS it can only be good.
    Signature

    nothing to see here.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2543799].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Pluton
      Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

      If they're getting rid of lies and BS it can only be good.
      Here Here - The sooner the better!!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2543829].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JB1974
    It's interesting though as to what elements of a company website are "advertising" which ASA would have jurisdiction over and what parts are "editorial" which it wouldn't.

    Company websites have always had to be "honest and truthful" - this being previously policed by Trading Standard or in serious cases OFT. ASA have exactly the same issue as Trading Standards, number of bodies on the ground and resources to police effectively.

    As ASA have to investigate a breach of CAP Code even if they have just one complaint, you can expect a whole flood of competitor complaints - this is bad news for industry as a whole. ASA Adjudications effectively create a "case law" of what can and cannot be said - this tends to restrict creative opportunities - and not necessarily talking here about BS creative.

    Predict huge number of complaints on company websites where one company claims to be #1 or leading, or favourite company within a particular industry!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2544256].message }}

Trending Topics