Shillong, July 9: The department of consumer affairs is taking steps to introduce guidelines for social media influencers, particularly those in the health and finance sectors, in order to prevent the spread of misleading information or surrogate advertising.
The forthcoming guidelines, expected to be implemented next month, will require influencers to disclose their qualifications and indicate whether they are certified nutritionists or simply promoting a product. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in a fine of Rs 10 lakh, according to reliable sources.
Officials from the ministry highlighted that health and wellness influencers often provide advice on specific supplements, and the government aims to determine whether they are genuinely knowledgeable experts or merely endorsing products under the guise of nutritional guidance. These influencers often mislead consumers, leading them to purchase products that may negatively impact their health.
As per IANS, to address this issue, influencers will be required to establish their expertise when recommending particular nutrients or supplements. They will also need to include disclaimers stating their affiliation with the promoted product and clarifying the capacity in which they are sharing information with their subscribers.
The primary objective of these guidelines is to prevent manipulation by influencers and safeguard consumer interests. In addition to health influencers, the guidelines will extend to finance sector influencers, commonly known as “finfluencers.” These individuals, who provide financial advice and recommend investment schemes or products, will also be required to disclose their credentials, differentiating between qualified financial advisors and those who are promoting specific financial products with deceptive intentions that could potentially mislead investors.
With these regulations in place, the government aims to ensure transparency and protect consumers from false or misleading information spread through social media platforms.
