DSSRC Administrative Closure #57

DSSRC contacted a direct selling company about three social media posts disseminated by its salesforce members. 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 benefit claims related to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The first post at issue was a general claim that the Company’s products could help boost your immune system and protect you from COVID-19. The second post claimed that the Company’s products could help protect you from COVID-19 by boosting your immune system and also by cleaning surfaces to get rid of COVID-19. Lastly, the final post claimed that the Company’s products could help increase your immune system and at the end of the post contained multiple COVID-19 related hashtags (i.e. #corona #coronavirus).

In response to DSSRC’s inquiry, the Company was appreciative of DSSRC bringing these issues to their attention. The Company informed DSSRC that all of the identified posts were in violation of the Company’s policies and the independent contractors had been contacted in order to request removal of the posts. The Company was successful in removing all of the posts.

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 7/16/2020)