Don't take advantage of consumer trust!

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"Exaggerating" product benefits, deceiving customers

Recently, a series of cases related to KOLs and KOCs have been discovered, such as vegetable candy, bird's nest, herbal products, weight loss drugs of unknown origin, or functional foods widely advertised by TikTokers. This is an alarming situation in the market. These cases are only a small part because there are many other cases in the market that have not been discovered or thoroughly handled, causing false advertising to become more and more common. The ease in choosing products to market along with the greed for profit has caused many KOLs and KOCs to disregard reputation, willing to promote products of unknown origin and ingredients that can harm consumers' health. Not only functional foods or pharmaceuticals, household products and cosmetics are also "inflated" in terms of effectiveness, deceiving customers.

Most recently, the incident related to the K. vegetable candy product was widely promoted on TikTok as a solution to supplement green vegetables for children and adults who are picky eaters. However, after the authorities began investigating, two famous TikTokers, HDM and QL, were prosecuted and temporarily detained by the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Department for producing counterfeit goods related to this candy. Test results showed that the product not only did not guarantee the nutritional value as advertised, but also contained a high sugar content, potentially harming the health of consumers, especially children. The incident has sounded the alarm about transparency in product marketing and the abuse of personal influence to sell poor quality products.

Previously, bird's nest and some products of TikToker HDM - products "labeled" as high-end - also caused controversy when the actual quality did not match the fancy advertising words. Many customers reported that the products were not clearly inspected, did not meet the expected quality but were sold at exorbitant prices. This is a form of taking advantage of the public's trust in influential people for commercial gain, destroying the transparency of the market.

In addition, in the market of functional foods, weight loss drugs, weight gain drugs or micronutrient supplements for children are also products that are abused in advertising. Recently, a series of TikTokers have marketed weight loss drugs with promises of "miraculous" effects, rapid weight loss without exercise or dieting. However, many of these drugs have been found to contain banned substances such as sibutramine - an ingredient that can cause cardiovascular disorders, high blood pressure, and even stroke. Consumers not only lose money but also risk facing serious health complications.

Ms. Tran Thi Thai Van (Ward 6, Tan An City) shared: “I once bought weight loss pills according to the advertisement of a famous TikToker. After using them for a few days, I felt dizzy and had insomnia continuously, but when I contacted the seller, there was no response. When I went to the doctor, the doctor warned that weight loss pills of unknown origin could cause dangerous side effects, especially for people with a history of underlying diseases. After this incident, I learned to only use products recommended by doctors to limit the risk of affecting my health.”

Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Yen (Que My Thanh commune, Tan Tru district, Long An province) shared: “I bought a syrup advertised to help my child eat better from a famous TikToker. After giving it to my child for many months without seeing any results, I took him to see a nutritionist and the doctor said that a child's eating habits depend on habits and a proper diet, not on syrup or functional foods. This shows that not all products have the same effect as advertised, so parents should consider carefully before making unverified recommendations.”

KOLs and KOCs need to be more responsible

Unverified, widespread advertising can cause serious consequences. First of all, consumers suffer losses when they lose money and face risks that negatively affect their health. As for KOLs and KOCs who participate in dishonest advertising, their reputation and prestige will be affected. Audiences who once trusted and supported KOLs and KOCs may turn their backs, causing their careers to falter. There are many cases where people who used to be famous on social networks had to leave the market after a few scandals due to a loss of public trust.

Not only that, legitimate businesses are also seriously affected by these incidents. When fraudulent advertising cases are continuously exposed, consumer confidence in e-commerce and celebrity marketing declines. Businesses that provide truly quality products will have difficulty reaching customers due to public fear and skepticism.

Faced with this situation, KOLs and KOCs need to be more responsible and carefully research the origin, quality and effectiveness of products before accepting advertisements. Instead of chasing immediate profits, put personal reputation first, because once trust is lost, it is difficult to regain. At the same time, management agencies also need to tighten online advertising. KOLs and KOCs must take legal responsibility for promoting false products. Social networking platforms also need to control content more strictly to prevent substandard products from appearing everywhere. Consumers need to raise awareness and equip themselves with knowledge to protect themselves. Instead of completely trusting the advertisements from celebrities, buyers need to carefully research the product, read the ingredients, origin and reviews from reputable sources before deciding to use it./.

Hieu Khang

Source: https://baolongan.vn/dung-truc-loi-long-tin-cua-nguoi-tieu-dung--a193205.html