Influencer Advertising & ASCI Compliance Policy
Mandatory regulatory disclosure standards, Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) rules, and advertising guidelines governing all creator deliverables on TIA.
All sponsored content, branded collaborations, gifting endorsements, and paid affiliate placements coordinated through TIA must strictly comply with the Guidelines for Influencer Advertising in Digital Media issued by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
1. Mandatory Disclosure Labels
Creators must prominently display approved disclosure labels on all branded deliverables across all social networks (Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, etc.):
- Permissible Labels: Only `#Ad`, `#Sponsored`, `#Collaboration`, `#PaidPartnership`, or `#Promotion` are legally recognized. Generic tags such as `#collab` or `#sp` are insufficient.
- Placement in Videos: Disclosures in video content must be superimposed over the video for at least the first 5 seconds or throughout the product demonstration, clearly legible on standard mobile screens.
- Placement in Captions: Disclosures must appear in the first two lines of the caption before the "...more" or "see more" fold.
2. Truth in Advertising & Substantiation of Claims
2.1 Honest Experience: Creators warrant that any representation regarding personal experience with a brand product reflects their genuine, honest evaluation.
2.2 Scientific & Health Claims: Brands are solely responsible for possessing verifiable laboratory or clinical substantiation for performance claims (e.g. "cures acne in 7 days", "boosts battery life by 50%"). Creators shall not make unsubstantiated therapeutic, financial, or performance claims.
2.3 Regulated Sectors (BFSI / Health / Gaming): Campaigns in regulated sectors must carry mandatory statutory warnings (e.g. SEBI warnings for financial investments, FSSAI disclaimers for dietary supplements).
3. Complete Platform Exemption & Indemnity for Regulatory Penalties
TIA does not author, publish, or modify user-generated creator posts and is strictly an intermediary technology infrastructure under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000.
3.1 User Sole Liability: If ASCI, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, or any court of law issues a notice, penalty, or injunction regarding misleading advertising, undisclosed endorsements, or copyright infringement, the Brand and Creator involved shall bear 100% of all fines, legal liabilities, and rectifications.
3.2 Defense & Indemnity: Brands and Creators jointly and severally agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless TIA and its directors against all regulatory fines, damages, and legal expenses resulting from advertising non-compliance.
4. Prohibited Content Categories
TIA strictly prohibits the booking, promotion, or escrow funding of campaigns related to:
- Illegal gambling, betting apps, or unregulated speculative schemes;
- Tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or prescription narcotics;
- Hate speech, defamation, harassment, or adult explicit materials;
- Counterfeit products or unauthorized brand knockoffs.