What Is Illicit Advertising? Definition of Illicit Advertising, Illicit Advertising Meaning and Concept

Illicit advertising is a form of advertising that uses resources to convey its message that violate human dignity and rights.


Therefore, illicit advertising, in addition to going against human dignity, does not respect the integrity of the person. Thus, offering products that do not correspond to the technical definition, or products considered very harmful or harmful to health, as well as other modalities that use other tools considered illegal.


What is considered illegal advertising?


For advertising to be considered illicit, it must first of all be directly confronted with the dignity of people. In other words, content that violates gender difference (sexist practices are sadly common), religious positions, races or ethnicities and other sexual tendencies, for example, is not allowed. Sneering or direct and reprehensible attacks on people are not valid when carrying out marketing strategies.


On the other hand, illicit advertising is also advertising that seeks to get minors to acquire certain goods or services using their inexperience or, in an extreme case, that can only be consumed directly by adults.


In this sense, in order to protect both minors and the rest of the population, it is not legally possible to carry out the promotion of products with a great risk to health, such as alcoholic beverages with a high number of degrees or directly toxic and illegal substances, such as obvious.


Examples of illicit advertising


Subliminal advertising is a clear example of illicit advertising, since it takes advantage of unconscious stimuli to deliver its message without the voluntary consent of the individual.


Other forms considered illicit in which an advertising message is presented are misleading , unfair or aggressive advertising.


Illicit advertising as a crime


In this way, by means of the classification or qualification as illicit advertising, the aim is to prevent advertisers from misleading about the benefits of products or from misleading consumers in terms of utility and even safety.


All these advertising uses are subject to legal punishment and can be reported by any type of individual, from members of competing companies to anonymous people through the increasingly important consumer defense organizations.


However, advertising companies often maintain their campaigns despite complaints or claims due to the social impact they have, compensating them for the sanctions imposed by courts or trade associations.


In Your Country, the legislation that defines, monitors and pursues this type of advertising practice is the General Advertising Law.