Shop on the websites for high-priced goods with different specifications

Consumers demand censorship of the advertising activity of "social media" celebrities

• Advice to consumers not to purchase goods before comparing them to other online shopping sites.

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• Muhammad Al Muhairi: “Commitment to the (National Media) circular is part of the national responsibility, and advertisers must abide by it.”

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Consumers demanded the competent authorities to censor the websites of famous "social media" who engage in commercial and advertising activity through their own accounts.

They reviewed to "Emirates Today" their experiences in buying through some celebrities, pointing out that they bought goods after the announcement that they were at reduced prices, and then discovered that they were sold at the same prices in the local market.

They emphasized that some of the pictures that appear in the offers are not real and unclear, which leads to misleading consumers, and the offers are sometimes written in small, illegible handwriting, or the presence of similarity in names and images between the displayed goods, and other famous ones.

Perfume trade

In detail, consumer Hamad Muhammad Salem said that he bought a bottle of perfume worth 400 dirhams through a page of a social media celebrity, after announcing a 30% discount on it, outlining its advantages.

He added, "It was discovered, after purchase, that the price is the same in the local market. In fact, there are shops that offer perfume at discounts of up to 20%."

Salem called for censoring the famous “social media” websites, to protect the rights of consumers, and not to deceive them through misleading and unreal advertisements.

Houseware

In turn, consumer Noura Saif Ibrahim said that she had bought a set of household appliances and decor items, after she was amazed at pictures that a "social media" celebrity had placed on his personal page about these products.

"The owner of the page reviewed the unique features and specifications of these products, and confirmed that he used them personally, which encouraged me to buy them, but I discovered that the presented images are in fact contrary to reality, so that it becomes clear to me that they are just a paid advertisement," she continued to Emirates Today.

Ibrahim agreed on the necessity of censoring celebrities' social media sites, verifying that the goods sold carry the same specifications in the attached pictures, and subjecting them to the same traditional selling standards.

Ready clothes

As for the consumer, Muhammad Mansour, he pointed out that he had bought a set of clothes from a famous “social media” website, after he had written the trademark in a small font suggesting that it was from a certain brand, in addition to having a background that made the line difficult to read.

He continued, "After purchasing it, I found out that the clothes are from a different brand and are not known for their high quality," considering this to be misleading to consumers.

Paid ads

For her part, consumer Mai Al-Qadi considered that many consumers do not know that much of what is published on some famous social media pages is paid ads, pointing out that the promotion of those celebrities as using the commodity represents a temptation for a large segment of consumers to buy it without Compared with other goods in traditional retail stores, or in other online shopping sites.

The judge confirmed that she had stopped purchasing the goods offered by the celebrities, without making comparisons.

She said: “I decided not to rely on what celebrities write, after I bought several commodities during the past period, and it turned out to be extremely expensive and exaggerated, in addition to their real specifications different from what is promoted through pictures and offers that are sometimes unclear and do not include enough information. About the commodity ».

The judge demanded strict censorship on the famous "social media" websites, as they are practicing a clear commercial and advertising activity, while educating consumers about the necessity not to rush to purchase, and to study all aspects of the advertised commodity carefully.

Organizing ads

In addition, the Chairman of the Emirates Consumer Protection Association, Muhammad Khalifa bin Uzair Al Muhairi, said that the National Media Council issued a circular bearing the number (13), related to the regulation of advertisements published on social media, pointing out that the circular specifies the conditions required for advertising, and the necessity Adherence to the standards and controls in force, especially in the Ministry of Health, and the importance of observing the advertisement for all the required conditions.

He stressed that this circular is an important step that enhances interest in the interest of consumers and protects their rights.

Al Muhairi explained that the circular included that everyone who practices advertising activities on commercial grounds on social media sites must obtain prior approval from the Media Licenses Department, while adhering to the terms of the advertisement, and that it be real, not exaggerated, and clear, and not lead to any confusion or Mixing or being similar to other names, products or commodities.

He emphasized that paying attention to advertising content is a real roadmap to protect consumers from ads that do not comply with the applicable terms and standards.

Al-Muhairi stressed the importance of focusing on the necessity of having a legible and clear line in any advertisement, and avoiding that the advertisement bears a color similar to the one in the background, indicating that it is an imperative for the advertisement to arrive in the required form, and to achieve its goal while also taking into account the interest of the consumer.

He pointed out that the council’s circular also stipulated that the use of advertising methods and phrases in an indirect way suggesting that the declared person is using the material or product, does not exempt him from obtaining licenses and adhering to the terms and conditions, in addition to the need to use clear language that does not leave any confusion, and the use of a phrase or hashtag. Clearly "advertising material" or "paid advertisement".

He added that the use of the phrase: “Thank you for the efforts of the advertisers,” or “in cooperation with ...” is not sufficient to disclose whether the advertisement is commercial or not.

Al-Muhairi stressed the necessity and importance of all advertisers ’commitment to what was stated in the“ National Media ”circular, pointing to the follow-up of the concerned authorities, especially the Emirates Society for Consumer Protection, to educate advertisers about the conditions set by the circular, stressing that adherence to it is part of the national responsibility, especially as it is an issue of concern to all segments of society. Wide community.

"The Economy" warns of wrong practices

Previously, the Ministry of Economy warned that "social media" celebrities were committing wrong commercial practices in violation of the Consumer Protection Law and its implementing regulations, such as raising prices unjustified and practicing commercial fraud.

The Ministry confirmed, at the time, that carrying out these practices requires that the pages of these celebrities be closed immediately after verifying the violation, through examination and investigation.

The Ministry called on consumers to be careful and not buy any commodity or service except after making comparisons between price and quality levels, stressing the importance of activating the "controlled consumer" initiative, and sending complaints to the Ministry of Economy in case of violations to support market surveillance and punish violators.

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