Dark patterns – Mills & Reeve

‘The ASA has banned Nike and Sky adverts, on the basis they use so called “dark patterns”. Dark patterns are a range of techniques which cross the line from legitimate advertising techniques to ones which unlawfully nudge consumers into making choices not in their best interests. These decisions come as the ASA joins the CMA in undertaking wider proactive investigations into online choice architecture that amount to unlawful dark patterns.’

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Mills & Reeve, 27th September 2024

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Watchdog bans Huel’s ‘misleading’ advert – second times in two months – The Independent

Posted September 27th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, food, health, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘A watchdog has banned yet another advert for food supplement firm Huel for making unsubstantiated claims about the product’s health benefits and cost relative to fruits and vegetables.’

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The Independent, 26th September 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Fashion brands face further greenwashing scrutiny – Kingsley Napley Criminal Law Blog

Posted September 26th, 2024 in advertising, competition, consumer protection, environmental protection, news by sally

‘Greenwashing continues to be a significant focus for the UK’s competition regulator as its scrutiny of the fashion sector continues.’

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Kingsley Napley Criminal Law Blog, 25th September 2024

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Telecoms providers must ensure transparency following ASA ruling and Ofcom guidance – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 25th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, media, news, telecommunications by sally

‘A recent Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling and subsequent Office of Communications (Ofcom) guidance serves as a reminder to UK telecommunications providers on standards for advertising technology superiority claims and comparative advertising, an expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 24th September 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

ASA bans adverts for Nike and Sky for using ‘dark pattern’ tactics – The Guardian

Posted September 25th, 2024 in advertising, internet, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘Adverts for Nike and Sky have been banned by the regulator for using “dark pattern” tactics designed to lead consumers to unintentionally spend money.’

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The Guardian, 25th September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Advertising watchdog investigates RSPCA Assured adverts after complaints of ‘misleading’ claims – The Independent

Posted September 19th, 2024 in advertising, animal cruelty, animals, charities, complaints, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The advertising watchdog has launched an investigation into adverts by the RSPCA, following complaints that claims in them are misleading.’

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The Independent, 19th September 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Junk food TV ads to be banned pre-watershed in UK from October 2025 – The Guardian

Posted September 13th, 2024 in advertising, children, food, government departments, health, news by tracey

‘Junk food TV advertisements are to be banned from airing before the 9pm watershed as part of the government’s drive to improve public health.’

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The Guardian, 12th September 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Just Eat advert that depicted McDonald’s broke junk food code – The Guardian

Posted August 22nd, 2024 in advertising, children, codes of practice, food, health, news, standards by sally

‘An advert for the takeaway delivery service Just Eat that featured a McDonald’s burger has been banned for not taking sufficient care to ensure that it was not aimed at children under 16.’

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The Guardian, 21st August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Steven Bartlett nutrition adverts banned for being misleading – BBC News

Posted August 15th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, news, standards by sally

‘Adverts for nutrition products promoted by Diary of a CEO podcaster Steven Bartlett have been banned after a watchdog said they were misleading.’

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BBC News, 14th August 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Watchdog bans Gemma Collins advert promoting headset to treat depression – The Guardian

‘An Instagram post by Gemma Collins in which she promoted wearing a headset to fight depression instead of seeking professional medical advice and treatment has been banned by the UK advertising watchdog.’

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The Guardian, 7th August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Face of British army recruitment drive wins payout for racist and sexist abuse – The Guardian

‘A former soldier who appeared on recruitment posters for the British army has received a settlement and an apology after taking it to an employment tribunal over the racist and sexist abuse she was subjected to during her career.’

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The Guardian, 2nd August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Trader recommendation websites must vet firms, says watchdog – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, internet, news, trading standards, vetting by sally

‘Popular trader recommendation websites must vet the firms they advertise and tackle fake reviews under new rules designed to protect households from cowboy builders and tradespeople.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ads for menopause supplements banned by regulator – The Independent

Posted June 26th, 2024 in advertising, health, menopause, news, ombudsmen, women by sally

‘Ads for supplements claiming they could treat and cure menopause symptoms such as hot flushes and weight gain have been banned by the regulator.’

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The Independent, 26th June 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

AI drafting in job ads: human oversight essential to ensure social mobility inclusion – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 25th, 2024 in advertising, artificial intelligence, diversity, drafting, news, recruitment by tracey

‘Human resources professionals, recruiters and business leaders should be aware of the crucial role language in job advertisements can play in attracting a diverse pool of applicants, and that while artificial intelligence (AI) can expedite the drafting process, human oversight remains essential.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 24th June 2024

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

ASA upbraids unregulated employment firm over marketing – Legal Futures

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in advertising, complaints, employment, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint about marketing material sent by an employment law business that looked like it was from a public body.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd May 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Greenwashing: Where are we now? – Mills & Reeve

‘Organisations are feeling the pressure more than ever to offer sustainable and environmentally conscious products and services to consumers. However, with the push to appear more eco-friendly comes the risk of over-exaggerating or misleading others with statements about green credentials.’

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Mills & Reeve, 16th May 2024

Source: www.mills-reeve.com

Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility in Action: The Advertising Standards Authority bans a Toyota SUV advert for not being prepared with a sense of social responsibility – Francis Taylor Building

‘In November 2023, the Advertising Standards Authority (“the ASA”) made the unprecedented decision to ban two Toyota SUV advertisements on the basis that they had “not been prepared with a sense of responsibility to society.”’

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Francis Taylor Building, 21st March 2024

Source: www.ftbchambers.co.uk

Lawsuit in London to allege Grindr shared users’ HIV status with ad firms – The Guardian

Posted April 22nd, 2024 in advertising, data protection, HIV, homosexuality, internet, news by sally

‘Grindr faces the prospect of legal action by hundreds of users who will allege that the dating app shared highly sensitive personal information, including in some cases their HIV status, with advertising companies.’

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The Guardian, 22nd April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

CrossCountry Trains advert banned over ‘insufficient’ free food and drink claims – The Independent

Posted April 18th, 2024 in advertising, complaints, food, news, railways, standards by sally

‘An ad for CrossCountry Trains has been banned for over-promising on the availability of complimentary food and drink for passengers.’

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The Independent, 17th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Political ads could be heading to UK TV screens due to legal loophole – The Guardian

Posted April 15th, 2024 in advertising, media, news, ombudsmen, political parties by tracey

‘ITV is considering taking paid ads from parties on its streaming platform where ban does not apply’

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The Guardian, 14th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com