ASCI upholds complaints against GCPL, HDFC Bank, others

Continuing its drive against misleading commercials, advertising industry watchdog ASCI has upheld complaints against 54 campaigns in September, including those of Godrej Consumer, Marico, Philips Electronics and HDFC Bank. Customer Complaints Council (CCC) of Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) upheld 13 complaints of misleading advertisements from personal and healthcare category, seven in telecom and broadband category and six in e-commerce category, during the month. The CCC has upheld complaint against GCPL for its Godrej No 1 Soap after it failed to substantiate the claim that it was the purest soap.

"The claim in the advertisement, 'India's No 1 Purest Soap', was not substantiated with comparative data of "purity" of this product versus other products. Also, the claim, by implication, denigrated other soaps in the same brand category," the advertising regulator said. Philips Electronics TVC for modular switches, in which it had shown spraying of liquid on the switches was found violating the code as it was "a dangerous practice which is likely to encourage minors to emulate such acts in a manner which could cause harm or injury".

Private sector lender HDFC Bank failed to substantiate its offer for two wheeler loan approval in 15 minutes and found it to be misleading. "Loan approval in 15 minutes was not substantiated. Also the claim, 'Only KYC required to avail a loan', is misleading as other documents are also required to be submitted to avail the loan facility and the terms and conditions in the advertisement cannot over-ride the claim in the advertisement," it added.

It had also upheld five complaints against leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel, in which four were for promotions of its 4G services and one was for broadband service. While, e-commerce firm Flipkart was also pulled up for two of its claims by ASCI. Flipkart had on its website claimed the MRP of Tek-Tron velroc safety outdoor shoes as Rs 599, while actual printed MRP on the product was Rs 499 and offered on discounted price.