Deceptive advertisements penalized: 204 million TL.

The Ministry of Trade has announced the latest data regarding irregular advertisements and promotions. Under strict inspections, all promotions were examined one by one, and penalties were imposed on companies that engaged in irregularities.

In a statement made by the Ministry, it was said: "In the meeting numbered 350 held on October 8, 2024, by the Advertising Board operating under the Ministry of Trade, advertisements that deceive consumers, mislead them, exploit their lack of experience and knowledge, and unfair commercial practices were examined."

PROCESSING OF 1358 FILES

"In the agenda of the Board this month, out of 202 files concluded regarding advertisements and commercial practices that are extremely effective in determining consumers' shopping preferences, 185 were found to be in violation of the legislation, and it was decided to impose a total administrative fine of 16,865,937 TL along with a suspension penalty for the relevant advertisements and commercial practices. Additionally, access was decided to be blocked for 71 files related to illegal advertisements conducted on the internet. Thus, in the first ten months of the year, a total of 1,542 files were reviewed and evaluated by the Board, and it was decided to impose a suspension penalty as well as a total administrative fine of 204,322,410 TL for 1,358 files identified as misleading advertisements or unfair commercial practices."

ALL PROMOTIONS UNDER SCRUTINY

"Despite the prohibition of advertising alcoholic beverages and producer companies in any way according to the relevant legislation, it has been determined that in recent social media posts, phrases, symbols, signs, and similar elements associated with alcoholic beverage brands have been used for advertising purposes among average consumers. It was decided to impose administrative sanctions regarding these advertisements in the Board's meeting this month. The Ministry of Trade's Advertising Board continues its intensive investigations into similar misleading advertisements and unfair commercial practices faced by consumers in various sectors."