A total fine of 7.7 million lira from the bulletin board for misleading promotions

At its meeting this month, the Advertising Board decided on 195 files related to businesses that mislead consumers with their promotions and imposed a fine of 7.7 million lira for 170 files that violated the law.

According to information obtained from the Ministry of Commerce, the Advertising Board under the Ministry held its last meeting on May 9.

The Board made comments and evaluations on 195 files that were placed on the meeting agenda. At the meeting, while the decision to postpone a file was being made, 170 of 194 files were declared contrary to the legislation and it was decided to impose an administrative fine of 7 million 677 thousand 231 liras.

THE MAIN AGENDA WAS THE IMITATION OF THE OLD

One of the main items on the agenda for this month’s meeting of the Board is Carnes y Lácteos, a state-owned economic enterprise, with names like “Meat and Fish Butcher”, “Meat and Fish Restaurant”, “Province/Name of the Meat and Fish District”, “Meat and Fish Arrangement” The institution became businesses operating with names and promotional images imitating the title and logo of the Meat and Fish Corporation, formerly known in society.

As a result of the examinations carried out by the Advertising Board, it was assessed that the reputation of the Meat and Dairy Authority was abused by the promotions carried out by these companies, and the trust of consumers was abused, therefore the lack of experience and knowledge of consumers was used.

60 companies discussed on the Board’s agenda received administrative fines of 2 million 116 thousand 761 liras and the suspension of said promotions. Thus, in the last two meetings in April and May, administrative fines totaling 3,227,193 liras were imposed on 92 companies. The Board will continue to monitor the promotions in question, which are deceptive and misleading to consumers.

PENALTY FOR MANIPULATION ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SITES

In the same meeting, the Advertising Board manipulated data on features such as “store follower count”, “favorite products/add to cart”, “collection building”, “ask questions” on e-commerce sites that work as a marketplace, and to increase the rankings of products-related businesses. Action was also taken against 13 individuals and organizations that act to highlight or increase the likelihood of being included in various listings, manipulate negative comments in such a way that they reduce their visibility , and direct people who don’t buy goods or services from the relevant companies to comment.

The Board decided to impose an administrative fine of 1 million 41 thousand 384 lira on individuals and organizations within this scope and to stop advertisements and block access to such websites. (AA)