The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has released its Half-Yearly Complaints Report (April–September 2025), revealing that 97% of advertising violations originated on digital platforms, with influencers, betting platforms, and personal care brands topping the list.

ASCI reviewed 6,841 complaints and investigated 6,117 ads, finding that 98% required modification. Compared to the same period last year, complaints rose by 70%, while the number of ads processed increased 102%, driven by stronger surveillance and collaborations with regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Illegal betting continued to dominate violations with 4,575 flagged ads, nearly all detected through ASCI’s proactive monitoring. Other high-risk categories included personal care (367 ads), healthcare (332), food and beverage (211), and education (71)-collectively representing nearly 90% of all violations.

Among platforms, Meta led with 78.9% of flagged content, followed by websites (13.7%), Google (4.6%), and property portals (3%).

Influencers remained under scrutiny, with 1,173 ads investigated, of which 98% required modification. Notably, 59% promoted prohibited products, and 76% of India’s top influencers failed to meet disclosure norms. However, voluntary compliance rose to 90%, indicating improved accountability.

Voluntary resolution also strengthened, with 62% of violative ads withdrawn or modified without contest and overall compliance at 88%.

Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI, noted, “While influencer violations and illegal betting ads remain concerning, the rise in voluntary compliance shows growing industry responsibility. ASCI continues to serve as the first line of defence for consumer trust in advertising.”