DSSRC Administrative Closure #49

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about three social media posts disseminated by its salesforce member. The subject social media posts came to DSSRC’s attention pursuant to its independent monitoring of advertising in the direct selling marketplace. Specifically, DSSRC expressed concern that the social media posts conveyed unsubstantiated product, health and wellness benefits that the Company’s direct selling products can protect against COVID-19.

The first post in question claimed that the Company’s products is one of the best ways to disinfect your home and therefore keep the COVID-19 virus away. The second post claimed that by using the Company’s products to clean your home you will effectively keep the COVID-19 virus away and keep yourself safe. The last post in question stated that the salesforce member makes sure to use the Company’s products especially because of the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

In response to DSSRC’s inquiry, the Company informed DSSRC that all three posts had previously been identified by a third-party monitoring software. The Company said that they had sent out removal requests for all three if the social media posts, however at the time of the inquiry the salesforce members had not removed the posts. The Company attempted to contact and salesforce members again and were successful in all three cases. The posts were all subsequently removed by the salesforce members.

DSSRC expressed its appreciation to the Company for its efforts in removing the post. As a result of the prompt actions taken by the Company, DSSRC administratively closed the inquiry.

(closed 7/7/2020)