Reckitt Benckiser (India) Private Limited - Durex

Recommendation: Not Upheld | Medium: General Public

The ASCI had approached the advertiser for its response in addressing the grievances of the complainants and forwarded the details of the complaints, verbatim, to the advertiser with a request to respond to the same. The advertiser was offered an option to seek an Informal Resolution (IR) of the complaints by modifying or withdrawing the advertisement. The advertiser was also offered an opportunity for a telecon with the ASCI Secretariat, which they did not avail and submitted their response. The advertiser in their response stated that the advertisement is a creative visualization highlighting the importance of proximity in relationship and lays emphasis on use of condom for sexual well being. The advertisement adheres to standard industry norms for condoms and was aired only in the adult section of Sony Liv with age gating of 21+. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) viewed the advertisement which was aired on Digital Media - OTT Platform (Sony Liv), considered both the complaints and the advertiser’s response. The CCC discussed that the advertisement highlights sexual well being and emphasizes the use of condoms as part of HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sexual practices. The CCC noted that the advertisement appeared on the Sony Liv app, an OTT platform, where age-gating is enforced, and the users must declare their age at subscription. The water shed hour restrictions apply only to television broadcasts and not to digital media. Considering the product category, the context in which the advertisement is presented, and the adult only access, the CCC was of the view that the advertisement is not indecent and is not likely to cause grave or widespread offence. Based on these observations, the CCC concluded that the advertisement is not in contravention of Chapter II of the ASCI Code. These complaints were NOT UPHELD.