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Terms and Conditions

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Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
Website: https://www.ascionline.in/
Last Updated: 26/10/2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to the website of the Advertising Standards Council of India (“ASCI”).

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the ASCI website located at https://www.ascionline.in/ and any associated pages, features, services, content, complaint-submission facilities, publications, educational resources and other functionality made available through the Website (collectively, the “Website”).

By accessing or using the Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Terms and all applicable laws and regulations.

If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not access or use the Website.

These Terms should be read together with ASCI’s applicable Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice, Cookie Policy, Complaints Procedure, and any other policies or notices expressly incorporated into these Terms.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

2.1 “ASCI”, “we”, “us” or “our”

means the Advertising Standards Council of India, a voluntary self-regulatory organisation established as a not-for-profit entity under applicable Indian company law.

2.2 “User”, “you” or “your”

means any individual or legal entity accessing or using the Website.

2.3 “Website”

means the ASCI website at https://www.ascionline.in/ and any associated pages, features, forms, portals, complaint-management interfaces, content and services made available by ASCI through or in connection with the Website.

2.4 “Content”

means all text, information, documents, publications, reports, guidelines, codes, decisions, recommendations, graphics, images, audio, video, software, databases and other materials made available through the Website.

2.5 “Submission”

means any complaint, feedback, enquiry, comment, document, communication, material or other information submitted by a User to ASCI through the Website or any other ASCI-approved channel.

3. Nature and Purpose of ASCI

ASCI is a voluntary self-regulatory organisation for advertising in India. ASCI’s functions include promoting responsible advertising, administering its self-regulatory framework, receiving and processing complaints concerning advertising, undertaking educational and awareness activities, and publishing relevant information and outcomes.

The Website and its Content are provided primarily for information, self-regulatory, educational and related purposes.

Nothing on the Website constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client, fiduciary or other professional relationship between ASCI and a User.

4. Acceptance and Permitted Use

Subject to these Terms, ASCI permits you to access and use the Website for lawful purposes.

You agree that you will:

  1. use the Website only for lawful purposes;
  2. provide information that is accurate and not misleading when submitting information to ASCI;
  3. use the Website in a manner that does not interfere with its operation or security;
  4. comply with applicable Indian laws and regulations;
  5. respect the intellectual property and other rights of ASCI and third parties; and
  6. comply with any additional terms applicable to specific services, complaint processes or facilities available through the Website.

You must not use the Website:

  • for any unlawful, fraudulent or malicious purpose;
  • to impersonate another person or organisation;
  • to submit knowingly false or misleading information;
  • to interfere with or disrupt the Website;
  • to introduce malware, viruses or other harmful code;
  • to attempt unauthorised access to any system, account or database;
  • to circumvent security or access controls;
  • to scrape, harvest or systematically extract information except where expressly permitted by ASCI or applicable law; or
  • in any manner that may damage, overburden or impair the Website or ASCI’s systems.

5. Intellectual Property

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the Website and its Content are owned by, licensed to, or otherwise made available to ASCI, and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

This includes, without limitation, the ASCI Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising, guidelines, publications, reports, educational materials, advisory materials, decisions, recommendations, website design, logos, trademarks and other proprietary materials.

All rights not expressly granted under these Terms are reserved.

5.1 Permitted personal and educational use

You may access and use Content made available by ASCI for your personal use, informational, research or educational purposes, subject to applicable law and these Terms.

Where you reproduce or quote Content for purposes permitted by law, you should provide appropriate attribution to ASCI and must not represent the material as your own.

5.2 Prohibited use

Except with ASCI’s prior written permission or where expressly permitted by applicable law, you must not:

  • republish substantial portions of Website Content;
  • commercially exploit Website Content;
  • sell, rent, lease, sublicense or otherwise commercially distribute Website Content;
  • reproduce or duplicate Website Content for commercial gain;
  • modify or create derivative works from proprietary ASCI materials;
  • remove copyright, trademark or other proprietary notices; or
  • systematically redistribute or reproduce ASCI Content.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to restrict rights that cannot lawfully be restricted under applicable Indian law.

6. Trademarks and Logos

The name “Advertising Standards Council of India”, “ASCI”, associated names, logos, marks and other branding elements are the property of ASCI or their respective owners.

No right or licence to use ASCI’s trademarks or logos is granted by these Terms.

You must not use ASCI’s name, logo or other branding in a manner that suggests sponsorship, endorsement, affiliation or approval without ASCI’s prior written permission.

7. Complaints and User Submissions

The Website may provide facilities through which Users can submit advertising complaints, enquiries, feedback and other information to ASCI.

Complaints are subject to ASCI’s applicable Complaints Procedure, which may be amended from time to time.

7.1 Complaint requirements

Users submitting complaints must provide the information reasonably required by ASCI to identify and assess the advertisement complained of.

Depending on the nature of the complaint, ASCI may require information including:

  • advertiser or brand name;
  • product or service;
  • date, time and medium in which the advertisement appeared;
  • copy, screenshot, recording, URL or other evidence of the advertisement;
  • details of the specific claims, representations or content being challenged; and
  • the complainant’s name and contact details.

ASCI does not process anonymous or pseudonymous complaints.

7.2 Accuracy of submissions

You represent and warrant that, to the best of your knowledge:

  • information supplied by you is accurate and not deliberately misleading;
  • you have the necessary rights or permissions to provide any material submitted by you;
  • your Submission does not knowingly infringe the intellectual property, privacy or other rights of another person; and
  • your Submission does not knowingly contain unlawful, defamatory, threatening, obscene or otherwise prohibited material.
7.3 ASCI’s right to review submissions

ASCI may review, assess, moderate, retain, reject or remove Submissions where reasonably necessary for:

  • administering its self-regulatory functions;
  • investigating or processing complaints;
  • preventing misuse of the Website;
  • maintaining security;
  • complying with applicable law;
  • protecting ASCI or third-party rights; or
  • enforcing these Terms.

ASCI does not guarantee that every Submission will be published, investigated, retained or acted upon.

7A. WhatsApp Chatbot Service

ASCI offers an automated chatbot on WhatsApp to help users with information and complaints.

7A.1 Automated replies: All chatbot replies are automated. They are not legal advice and are not a decision of the Consumer Complaints Council (CCC).

7A.2 When a complaint is counted: A complaint is counted only when ASCI sends an acknowledgement. Sending information through the chatbot does not by itself count as filing a complaint.

7A.3 Platforms used: Chatbot messages are sent through Meta (WhatsApp) and DoubleTick, a service provider engaged by ASCI.

7A.4 WhatsApp terms: WhatsApp’s own Terms and Conditions also apply when you use the chatbot.

7A.5 Outages: ASCI is not responsible for any outage, delay or failure of the WhatsApp, Meta or DoubleTick platforms.

8. Licence to Use Submissions

To the extent necessary for ASCI to receive, administer, investigate, process and resolve a Submission, you grant ASCI a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to store, reproduce, communicate, adapt and otherwise use the Submission for the purposes of:

  1. administering ASCI’s self-regulatory functions;
  2. investigating and processing complaints;
  3. communicating with the complainant, advertiser or other relevant parties where reasonably necessary;
  4. complying with applicable legal or regulatory requirements;
  5. maintaining records and internal governance; and
  6. publishing information or outcomes where permitted under ASCI’s applicable policies and procedures.

This licence does not transfer ownership of your intellectual property to ASCI.

ASCI will handle personal information contained in Submissions in accordance with its applicable Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice and applicable data-protection law.

Where a Submission contains third-party material, you remain responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary rights or authority to submit that material.

9. Confidentiality of Complaint Information

ASCI recognises the importance of protecting complainant information.

ASCI’s current complaint process provides that information identifying members of the public who submit complaints is treated confidentially and used for communication concerning the complaint.

Subject to applicable law and ASCI’s Complaints Procedure, ASCI will not ordinarily disclose the identity or personal contact information of a complainant to an advertiser or other external party merely because a complaint has been submitted.

However, ASCI may disclose information where such disclosure is:

  • required by law or a lawful order or direction;
  • necessary to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation;
  • reasonably necessary for the administration of ASCI’s self-regulatory process;
  • authorised by the complainant; or
  • otherwise permitted under ASCI’s Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice and applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms guarantees absolute confidentiality where disclosure is legally required or otherwise lawfully permitted.

10. Publication of Complaint Outcomes and ASCI Decisions

ASCI may publish information concerning complaints and recommendations or decisions made under its self-regulatory processes in accordance with its applicable policies and procedures.

Published material may include information concerning the advertisement, advertiser, issue considered and outcome.

ASCI may publish, redact, anonymise or otherwise modify information as it considers appropriate, subject to applicable law and its policies.

ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (“CCC”) recommendations and other self-regulatory outcomes are not judgments or orders of a court and do not, by themselves, constitute legal advice or a judicial determination of civil or criminal liability.

11. Prohibited User Content

You must not submit Content that:

  • is knowingly false or materially misleading;
  • is defamatory or unlawfully invasive of another person’s privacy;
  • infringes copyright, trademark, patent or other intellectual property rights;
  • contains malicious code or instructions intended to compromise systems;
  • promotes unlawful activity;
  • contains unlawful threats or harassment;
  • is obscene or otherwise unlawful under applicable law; or
  • is submitted for the purpose of abusing, disrupting or manipulating ASCI’s complaint or self-regulatory processes.

Nothing in this section prevents a User from making a bona fide complaint or raising a legitimate concern in accordance with applicable law.

12. Compliance with Applicable Law

Users must comply with all laws applicable to their use of the Website and their Submissions.

This may include, as applicable, the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder, intellectual property laws, privacy and data-protection laws, consumer-protection laws and other applicable Indian laws and regulations.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to represent that every statutory provision or regulatory framework applies to ASCI or every Website function in every circumstance.

13. Privacy and Personal Data

ASCI may collect and process personal data in connection with use of the Website, complaints, enquiries, registrations, events, educational services and other activities.

Such processing is governed by ASCI’s applicable Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice, as amended from time to time.

The Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice explains, among other matters:

  • the categories of personal data collected;
  • purposes of processing;
  • applicable rights and choices;
  • disclosures to service providers and other parties;
  • retention;
  • security measures;
  • complaint and grievance mechanisms; and
  • other information required under applicable data-protection law.

Users should read the Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice before submitting personal information to ASCI.

ASCI will process personal data in accordance with applicable Indian data-protection law, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and applicable provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, as and when they become applicable.

14. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Website may use cookies and similar technologies to enable functionality, improve user experience, maintain security, understand Website usage and support other legitimate Website functions.

The use of cookies and similar technologies is described in ASCI’s Cookie Policy.

Where consent is required by applicable law, ASCI will provide an appropriate mechanism for obtaining and managing such consent.

Users may also manage certain cookie settings through their browser or device settings, subject to the effect this may have on Website functionality.

15. Third-Party Websites and Services

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, platforms or services.

Such links are provided for convenience or informational purposes. ASCI does not control third-party websites and does not necessarily endorse their content, products or services.

Your use of a third-party website is governed by that third party’s terms and policies.

ASCI is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, security, privacy practices or content of third-party websites, except to the extent liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

16. Hyperlinking to the ASCI Website

Government agencies, search engines, news organisations, online directory distributors, accredited industry bodies, consumer organisations and other entities may link to the Website where such linking is lawful and does not create a misleading impression of sponsorship, endorsement or affiliation.

A link must not:

  1. be deceptive or misleading;
  2. falsely imply sponsorship, endorsement or approval by ASCI;
  3. use ASCI’s logo or other artwork without appropriate permission; or
  4. appear in a context that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene or otherwise objectionable.

ASCI may request the removal of a link where it reasonably considers the link to be inappropriate or misleading.

17. iFrames and Framing

Without ASCI’s prior written permission, you must not frame, embed or otherwise reproduce the Website or its pages in a manner that materially alters their visual presentation, functionality or context.

This does not restrict embedding or linking expressly permitted by ASCI or applicable law.

18. Removal of Links

If you become aware of a link on the Website that you believe is unlawful, misleading, offensive or otherwise inappropriate, you may notify ASCI.

ASCI may consider such requests at its discretion, subject to applicable law. ASCI does not guarantee that every requested link will be removed or that a response will be provided.

19. Website Availability and Accuracy

ASCI endeavours to maintain the Website and its Content accurately and securely, but does not warrant that:

  • the Website will always be available or uninterrupted;
  • the Website will be free from errors or defects;
  • Content will always be complete, current or accurate;
  • the Website will be free from viruses or other harmful components; or
  • every Website function will be available at all times.

ASCI may modify, suspend or discontinue any part of the Website without prior notice where reasonably necessary.

20. No Legal or Professional Advice

Information published on the Website is provided for general informational, educational and self-regulatory purposes.

Nothing on the Website constitutes legal, financial, medical, technical or other professional advice.

Users should obtain independent professional advice where appropriate to their circumstances.

21. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Website and its Content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.

ASCI disclaims warranties, representations and conditions concerning the Website except to the extent that such warranties, representations or conditions cannot lawfully be excluded.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable Indian law.

22. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ASCI shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive loss or damage, or for loss of profits, revenue, business opportunity, goodwill or data, arising out of or relating to your use of, or inability to use, the Website.

ASCI shall not be responsible for loss or damage arising from:

  • reliance on general information published on the Website;
  • temporary interruption or unavailability of the Website;
  • third-party websites or services;
  • unauthorised access caused by circumstances outside ASCI’s reasonable control; or
  • User-provided information that is inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.

Nothing in these Terms:

  • excludes liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
  • excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded;
  • limits statutory rights that cannot lawfully be limited; or
  • prevents a competent authority or court from exercising its lawful jurisdiction.

23. Indemnity

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to indemnify and hold ASCI, its officers, employees and representatives harmless from claims, losses, liabilities, costs and reasonable expenses arising directly from:

  1. your material breach of these Terms;
  2. your unlawful use of the Website;
  3. your infringement of a third party’s intellectual property or other legal rights through material submitted by you; or
  4. your intentional or fraudulent misconduct.

This indemnity does not apply to the extent a claim results from ASCI’s own unlawful conduct, negligence or breach of applicable law.

24. Suspension or Termination

ASCI may suspend or restrict your access to all or part of the Website where reasonably necessary to:

  • protect the Website or its users;
  • investigate suspected misuse;
  • address security concerns;
  • comply with applicable law;
  • enforce these Terms; or
  • prevent interference with ASCI’s self-regulatory processes.

Where reasonably practicable, ASCI may provide notice of such action.

Termination or suspension of Website access does not affect provisions which by their nature are intended to survive, including provisions concerning intellectual property, confidentiality, disclaimers, liability and governing law.

25. Changes to these Terms

ASCI may amend these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in:

  • applicable law or regulation;
  • ASCI’s functions or procedures;
  • Website features;
  • security requirements; or
  • operational requirements.

The updated Terms will be published on the Website together with an updated effective date or last-updated date.

Your continued use of the Website after the effective date of revised Terms constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Changes to ASCI’s processing of personal data will be addressed through the applicable Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice and any consent or notice requirements prescribed by law.

26. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India.

Subject to applicable law, courts having competent jurisdiction in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or use of the Website.

Nothing in this clause prevents a party from approaching a statutory authority, tribunal or other forum having jurisdiction under applicable law.

27. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable by a competent authority, that provision shall be interpreted or modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it lawful and enforceable, where legally permissible.

The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

28. No Waiver

Failure by ASCI to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of its right to enforce that provision or any other provision in the future.

29. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the applicable Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice, Cookie Policy, Complaints Procedure and any additional terms expressly applicable to particular ASCI services, constitute the terms governing your use of the relevant Website services.

Where there is a specific inconsistency between these Terms and a specific service-specific policy or procedure, the specific policy or procedure shall prevail to the extent of that inconsistency.

30. Contact and Grievance Redressal

For questions, concerns or grievances relating to the Website or these Terms, Users may contact ASCI through the contact details published on the Website.

Grievance Officer
Attn: Grievance Officer
Organisation: Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
Address: 421, 4th Floor, Kohinoor City Commercial-I, Kirol Road, Kurla (West), Mumbai – 400070, Maharashtra, India
Email: [email protected]

Where a grievance relates specifically to privacy or personal-data processing, Users should also refer to the grievance/contact mechanism provided in ASCI’s Privacy Policy/Privacy Notice.

31. Contact Information

For general enquiries concerning ASCI, Users may use the contact information and communication channels published on the Website.

ASCI may update its contact details from time to time without requiring an amendment to these Terms.

32. Effective Date

These revised Terms are effective from 26/10/2026.

Users are encouraged to review this page periodically for updates.

© Advertising Standards Council of India. All rights reserved.