Turkish Ministry of Trade imposes $4.9m in fines for misleading ads
Turkish Ministry of Trade. (Photo via Anadolu Agency)
The Turkish Ministry of Trade has imposed significant fines on companies engaging in misleading advertising and unfair commercial practices.
In the first eight months of 2024, the Advertising Board issued fines totaling 165 million 41 thousand 612 Turkish Liras ($4.9m), according to an official statement.
August Meeting Overview
During the Turkish Ministry of Trade Advertisement Board’s August meeting, the board scrutinized ads that deceive consumers, exploit their lack of experience or knowledge, and involve unfair commercial practices. Of the 138 cases reviewed, 128 were found to be in violation of regulations. As a result, fines totaling 16 million 257 thousand 632 Turkish liras were issued alongside advertising suspensions for the offending companies.
The Ministry’s report highlighted the board’s activities over the past eight months. The Advertising Board reviewed 1,202 cases, finding 1,055 of them involved deceptive advertising or unfair practices.
Targeting misleading search engine results
In a notable case, the board took action against a foreign-based tourism company. The company was found to display misleading price information in online search engine results that did not match the prices on the actual website. The discrepancy was deemed deceptive and misleading to consumers, leading to a suspension of the ads and an additional fine.
The board also addressed misleading advertisements in the health tourism sector. A timeshare resort, frequently chosen by health tourism consumers, advertised its thermal spa facilities despite those facilities being sealed off and no longer in operation. The use of pool visuals and the term “thermal” in the ads was found to be deceptive. Consequently, the board ordered the suspension of the ads and imposed fines on the company.
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