Hardly whiter than white
Grasping z-listers are raking in money by plugging products online, without revealing they are being paid.
Blogger Aliyah Maria Bee posted a cheesy picture of herself holding a jar of teeth-whitener on her Instagram account which said: “I’m very happy with the results.”
Last month the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the plug breached its codes because the post was not clearly identified as an advert.
Now it’s the turn of Louise Thompson from Made in Chelsea to be hauled over the coals after being paid to promote a brand of watch on Instagram. The watchdog ruled this week: “We considered that the content and context of the post did not make clear that it was advertising.” In March the ASA announced that it was investigating the issue of sneaky social media adverts. Chief executive Guy Parker said: “People shouldn’t have to play the detective to work out if they’re being advertised to.”