Coronavirus: millions of misleading advertisements disappear from online space as a result of joint European consumer action

By: Trademagazin Date: 2020. 05. 26. 10:34

The European Commission and Member States’ consumer protection authorities have monitored websites to identify where EU consumers are targeted by false claims or scams in advertisements for products that may be linked to coronavirus.

The results of the sweep show that the Commission’s previous call has been successful: millions of platforms have deleted or blocked misleading advertising. The audit by members of the CPC Network of European Consumer Protection Authorities consisted of two parts: one was an overview of online platforms, and the other was an in-depth analysis of advertisements for certain products that generated high demand for the coronavirus and websites selling such products. In addition to offers to promote protective masks and caps, disinfectant gels and COVID tests, special attention was paid to the offer of foods, food supplements and other non-food products with a therapeutic effect associated with the coronavirus.