Ministry of I&B's Advisory on Online Betting Endorsements

Summary and Important Points:

1. Advisory Issuance

• Entity: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).

• Content: Caution against promoting offshore online betting and gambling platforms.

2. Target Audience and Impact

• Recipients: Social media influencers and online advertisement intermediaries.

• Concerns: Financial and socio-economic implications, especially on youth.

3. Compliance and Consequences

• Measures: Sensitization efforts, potential removal of posts/accounts.

• Legal: Proceedings under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

4. Legal Framework and Responsibilities

• Reference: Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000.

• Intermediaries' Obligation: Remove or disable access upon receiving knowledge of illegal content.

5. Prior Advisories and Scrutiny

• Earlier Advisory: By Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).

• Focus: Endorsements by celebrities and influencers; subject to scrutiny.

Additional Information

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: A legal framework aimed at protecting consumers from unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.

• Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000: Provides safe harbor to intermediaries under certain conditions but mandates action against unlawful content.

Examination Perspective and Concise Points for Use

• Consumer Awareness and Protection: Importance of regulatory measures to safeguard consumers, particularly the youth, from potential harms of online betting and gambling.

• Social Media Responsibility: Role and responsibilities of social media influencers and intermediaries in preventing misleading endorsements.

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Understanding the implications of non-compliance with advisories under the Consumer Protection Act and IT Act.

Key Words to Remember

• Online Betting and Gambling

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019

• IT Act, 2000

• Social Media Influencers

• Sensitization and Compliance