Under the new ASCI influencer advertising guidelines, which professionals are required to disclose their certified expert status or practitioner credentials?

Solution

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has revised its influencer advertising guidelines making it compulsory for influencers in  the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector, often referred to as 'finfluencers', to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in order to provide investment-related advice.  The new guidelines require medical practitioners, health and fitness, and finance experts, who possess certifications from recognised institutions, to disclose their certified expert status or practitioner credentials. This requirement applies when they share information, endorse products or services, or make any claims related to health.  As per the new guidelines, influencers endorsing health and nutrition products making claims must possess relevant qualifications such as medical degrees or certifications in areas like nursing, nutrition, dietetics, physiotherapy, or psychology, depending on the nature of the advice provided. These qualifications must be prominently disclosed.   A financial influencer, or 'finfluencer', is a person who gives information and advice to investors on financial topics — usually on stock market trading, personal investments like mutual funds and insurance —primarily on various social media platforms.