Protection Against Misleading Advertisements
Consumers are protected from false, deceptive, or misleading advertisements.
🗣️ What this means for you
If you buy a product or service based on an advertisement that made false claims — like "guaranteed weight loss" or "100% natural" when it is not — you have the right to complain. The company and even the endorser (celebrity or influencer) can be held liable. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) can impose heavy penalties for misleading ads.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Save/screenshot the misleading advertisement (print, digital, TV — note the date and medium).
Document how you were misled and what loss or harm you suffered.
File a complaint with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) at ascionline.in.
File a complaint with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
File a consumer complaint in the Consumer Commission for personal loss.
Report digital ads to the platform where they appeared (Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
⚖️ The Relevant Law
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (2019)
Section 2(28) — Misleading Advertisement, Section 21 — CCPA Powers
"Misleading advertisement means any advertisement which falsely describes a product or service, gives a false guarantee, conveys an express or implied representation which would constitute an unfair trade practice, or deliberately conceals important information."
⚠️ Punishment / Penalty
The CCPA can impose a penalty of up to ₹10 lakh on the manufacturer/endorser for the first offence and up to ₹50 lakh for subsequent offences. The CCPA can also prohibit the endorser from making any endorsement for up to 1 year (first offence) or up to 3 years (subsequent offences).
Required Documents
- 📄Screenshot/copy of the misleading advertisement
- 📄Purchase receipt for the product/service
- 📄Evidence of false claims (comparison with actual product)
- 📄Medical reports (if health-related misleading claim)
- 📄Communication with the company