Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) took cognizance of the advertisements of Rapido that promised consumers “AUTO IN 5 MIN OR GET ₹50” and “Guaranteed Auto” which after examination were found to be false, misleading and unfair to consumers.
Ethical issues with Misleading Advertisements
- Violation of rights based approach: Right to be informed, right to choose, and right to safety are violated due to it.
- E.g., Red Bull gives you wings campaign offering specific functional benefits was slapped fines for misrepresentation.
- Against utilitarianism: Misleading advertisement can lead to environmental harm leading to long-term harm to society.
- E.g., Greenwashing case of Volkswagen's "clean diesel" campaign, which falsely advertised some vehicle as environmentally friendly.
- Violates Kantian categorical imperative: Misleading ads consider humans as a means to an end i.e., profit maximisation.
- Promotion of Harmful Social Biases: E.g., Fair and Lovely ads equating beauty with fair skin leading to racial biases.
- Health and safety risk: e.g., Johnson's Baby Powder was advertised despite potential health concerns.
- JS Mill’s harm principle individual freedom of expression and commerce is acceptable only until it causes harm to others
Legal Frameworks to counter misleading advertisement
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