The Ad Standards Council has released an official statement on the controversial digital ads and billboards by GlutaMAX, a skin whitening product.
The ads caused an uproar and are accused of racism and colorism. Netizens said that the ad insults people with dark skin.
According to the statement, all the ads released by GlutaMAX online and on billboards have not been approved by the Ad Standards Council or ASC.
The ASC is the regulatory body that sets standards, monitors, and polices the ranks of advertisers, including ad agencies and their clients. It is a private organization that functions as the self-regulation mechanism of the ad industry in the Philippines.
A reliable source told Canto that the GlutaMAX ad materials were submitted and revised several times but still did not get the ASC’s approval.
Obviously, GlutaMAX decided to ignore the ASC’s authority and went ahead with releasing the unapproved ads.
The statement quotes a portion of the ASC Code of Ethics that was violated by the GlutaMAX ads.
Article IV Section 1, item a. of the ASC Code of Ethics on Disparagement:
“Advertisements shall not directly or indirectly disparage, ridicule, criticize, or attack any natural or juridical person, groups of persons, or any sector of society, especially on the basis of gender, social or economic class, religion, ethnicity, race, or nationality.”
Below is the Ad Standards Council’s statement in full:
