DSSRC Administrative Closure #21

DSSRC inquired into a product claim disseminated on Facebook by a distributor for a multi-level direct selling company. The product performance claim pertained to the Company’s product being more potent than natural vitamins.

The Company informed DSSRC that the individual was identified through its monitoring vendor and is part of the Company’s Australian market. The individual who made the post is not a Company representative who can build a downline sales team but rather is enrolled in the Company only to market and share a discount referral code with customers who then purchase product. The customers in turn may also refer other customers using a similar discount referral code. The individual responsible for the post is not eligible to earn commissions or enroll other representatives. Their only benefit is potential product credit for sharing the product.

The Company has been in contact with individual who made the post who is currently working on cleaning up their historical social media content, including from when she was a customer. The account was also placed on suspension until such time that all required content is removed. 

DSSRC expressed its appreciation to the Company for its good faith effort to address the post and based on its prompt actions the inquiry was administratively closed.

(closed on 4/30/2020)

 

Subscribe to the Ad Law Insights or Privacy Initiatives newsletters for an exclusive monthly analysis and insider perspectives on the latest trends and case decisions in advertising law and data privacy.

 

 

 

 

Latest Decisions

Decision

National Advertising Division Recommends Blueprint Test Preparation Discontinue Certain MCAT Score Improvement Claims

New York, NY – April 22, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended Blueprint Test Preparation discontinue certain express and implied claims made in connection with its four MCAT preparation courses, including claims that Blueprint students raise their MCAT scores by 15 or 13 points on average.

Read the Decision Summary
Decision

National Advertising Division Recommends The Princeton Review Discontinue Point Increase Claims for MCAT Test Preparation Services

New York, NY – April 18, 2024 – In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge, the National Advertising Division recommended that The Princeton Review (TPR) discontinue claims that its students “Score a 515+ on the MCAT or add 15 points depending on your starting score. Guaranteed or your money back.”

Read the Decision Summary
Decision

Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Trades of Hope Discontinue Salesforce Member Earnings Claims

McLean, VA – April 17, 2024 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended that Trades of Hope discontinue certain earnings claims made by salesforce members on Facebook and YouTube. 

Read the Decision Summary
Decision

National Advertising Division Recommends Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals Discontinue “100% Pure Avocado Oil” Claim for Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil

New York, NY – April 15, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended that Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals discontinue the claim “100% Pure Avocado Oil” for its Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil and avoid conveying the unsupported message that the product is 100% pure avocado...

Read the Decision Summary