"Name and shame", naming and shame in good French. By forcing influencers to post a message on their social networks for 30 days because of their "misleading commercial practices" since Wednesday, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) hits hard.
First victims: Illan Castronovo and Simon Castaldi. The two influencers published Wednesday on their respective Instagram profiles posts written by the DGCCRF that relate "misleading commercial practices" they have used on social networks.
"On his Instagram account and his Telegram channels, (Illan Castronovo) claims of a sports betting advisory service that it increases the chances of winning at gambling, gives the impression that a service of remitting in cash part of the balance of the Personal Training Account in return for a simple registration to a training course is lawful when it is not and does not indicate the commercial intention of its publications for advertising purposes", details in a long list the DGCCRF.
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A post shared by illan (@illancto)
"I'm not an influencer," defends Illan Castronovo
The influencer of almost 30 years explained on the social network from his pool after the publication of these lines: "I have been on the networks for more than 7 years and even if it has been more than two years that I no longer do product placement, the DGCCRF has been controlling us for a long time," he says.
"I made three mistakes that I recognize and take responsibility for. I was not fined, but I did get a reminder. I think it's very good that we are supervised, and if I had been framed earlier, I might not have made these mistakes, "he continues in his video, saying that he is "not an influencer".
For his part, Simon Castaldi was content to publish in story and on his Instagram account the message that he is obliged to relay following the injunction of the DGCCRF without making more comments.
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A post shared by Simon Castaldi (@simoncastaldi)
He is accused of not having indicated "neither the commercial intention of his publications, although directly related to the promotion of goods or services, nor the brands for which he makes these communications. These practices, which are akin to hidden advertising, are misleading commercial practices within the meaning of the Consumer Code, "insists the DGCCRF.
The profession of influencer is now recognized and framed by law, after senators and deputies agreed on a bill that "will support the professionalization of the sector" of influence, "and punish ill-intentioned actors," said the Senate on May 25. Bercy welcomed a "major advance" in the digital economy sector.
