Crypto And NFT Advertising Guidelines – Technology

India:

Crypto And NFT Advertising Guidelines

Advertising Standards Council of India 

In India, there is only one body for Self-Regulation in
Advertising – the ASCI, which is concerned with safeguarding
the interests of consumers whilst monitoring/guiding the commercial
communications of Practitioners in Advertising on behalf of
advertisers, for advertisements carried by the Media, in their
endeavours to influence buying decisions of the Consuming
Public.

It has implemented a Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising. It
is a commitment to honest advertising and to fair competition in
the market-place. It stands for the protection of the legitimate
interests of consumers and all concerned with advertising –
advertisers, media, advertising agencies and others who help in the
creation or placement of advertisements.

ASCI encourages the public to complain against advertisements
which they consider to be false, misleading, offensive or unfair.
All of these complaints are evaluated by an independent Consumer
Complaints Council (CCC).

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has recently
released guidelines for promotion and advertising of crypto and
NFTs with a view to protect consumers from misleading and
exploitative ads. The regulatory body has come up with the
protocols after consulting with industry experts and the
government.

The guidelines come right after this
year’s budget which announced a 30 percent
‘crypto tax’ on all digital assets and a 1 percent TDS for
each crypto-related transaction.

According to ASCI, all advertising for virtual digital
assets and services needs to follow the following
guidelines :

1. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
   wants this disclaimer prominently displayed on ads and promotions
   related to virtual digital assets (VDAs) like
   cryptos or non-fungible tokens (NFT)

   “Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be
   highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from
   such transactions.”

   Provided that such disclaimer shall be PROMINENT and UNMISSABLE by
   an average consumer:
   

   • In print or static, in an easy-to-read font, against a
     plain background, and to the maximum font size afforded by the
     space.

   
   

   • In video, at the end of the advertisement against a
     plain background, must contain disclaimer in text in voice over. In
     the case of long format video of over two minutes, disclaimer
     should be repeated at the beginning and at the end of the video.
     The disclaimer must remain on screen for a minimum of five
     seconds.

   
   

   • In audio, the disclaimer must be spoken at the end of
     the advertisement. In the case of long format audio of over 90
     seconds, the said disclaimer should be repeated at the beginning
     and at the end of the audio.

   
   

   • In social media posts, such a disclaimer must be
     carried in both – the caption as well as any picture or video
     attachments.

   
   

   • In disappearing stories or posts unaccompanied by
     text, the said disclaimer will need to be voiced at the end of the
     story.

   
   

   • The disclaimer in limited space must be used “Crypto
     products and NFT’s are unregulated and risky” followed by
     a link to the full disclaimer.

   
   

   • must be made in the dominant language of the
     advertisement

   
   

   • must meet the minimum requirements of guidelines;

2. Words “currency“,
   “securities“,
   “custodian” and
   “depositories” not to be used;




3. Not be contradictory to information or warnings that the
   regulated entities provide to customers;




4. Shall contain clear, accurate, sufficient and updated
   information on cost and profitability of VDA products;




5. Not provide partial of biased information on past
   performance;




6. Not include return for period of less than 12 months;




7. Must clearly state name and contacts details of
   advertiser;




8. Not display any minor dealing with the product;




9. Not portray that VDA products solve money problems, personality
   problems or other such drawbacks;




10. Not contain statements that promise or guarantee future
    increase in profits;




11. Not display that VDA is easy or downplay the risks;




12. Not be compared to any other regulated asset class;




13. Celebrities or prominent personalities who appear in VDA
    advertisements must ensure that they have done their due diligence
    about the statements and claims made in the advertisement, so as
    not to mislead consumers.

The guidelines will be applicable to all virtual digital
asset-related ads released on or after April 1, 2022. Advertising
agencies and Media houses must also ensure that all earlier
advertisements must not appear in the public domain unless they
comply with the guidelines, post the 15th of April 2022.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.

POPULAR ARTICLES ON: Technology from India