Among the influencers “targeted” by the fight against fraud since 2021, 60% do not comply with the rules on . It is the result ofinvestigation of the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) published on Monday 23 January, which ” target “ more than sixty agencies and influencers active in the promotion of cosmetics, food supplements, “slimming” programs or even in online trading and betting services.
According to her, more than half of the influencers observed have not complied with regulations on and consumer rights, and several proceedings have been opened against them. “All of the anomaly influencers did not respect the rules relating to the transparency of the commercial nature of their publications”detailed in a press release the management attached to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
She reproached about thirty of them for having “deceived consumers about the properties of the products sold” or to have “promoted risky products or services” in sports betting. “In the most serious cases, some influencers have carried out unauthorized promotional operations, such as using the professional training account (CPF) to collect cash or gifts. (…) or that of injections for aesthetic purposes by beauticians and non-health professionals”the administration added.
Targeted “dropshipping”
It also targets certain practitioners of dropshipping, a business concept in which the customer places an order on the website of a seller who does not have stock. In this system, the seller is only a simple intermediary who obtains supplies from a wholesaler, and who can increase his margin as he wishes. Bercy’s services indicate that they have initiated several procedures against them.
“Some will be prosecuted for deceptive commercial practices for having illegally promoted medical practices or sports betting advice sites, used prohibited “health” claims or even organized prohibited lotteries”, thus specified the Minister of the Economy. Bruno the Mayor.
The conflict that erupted last year between Magali Berdah, boss of the powerful influencer agency Shauna Events, and rapper Booba had highlighted the abuses of promoting products on social networks and the risks, especially for the youngest. Justice opened an investigation for “misleading commercial practices” against this agency on September 6, which was entrusted to the police station of Antibes, city where the company is registered.
Wishing to better regulate the practices of influencers, the Ministry of the Economy launched a series of meetings in December with around fifty players in the sector and launched a public consultation, open until January 31. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire will report on these contributions and any decisions by March.