The Competition Development and Consumer Rights Protection Committee of Uzbekistan conducted over 13,500 studies of advertising materials in the first half of the year, resulting in the discovery of 6,000 violations of advertising legislation, according to the agency's press service.
In examining 545 examples of advertisements for medicines and dietary supplements, non-compliance with established legal requirements was found in 51 cases.
Fifty-four instances of advertising prohibited products, including tobacco, alcohol, and e-cigarettes, were recorded. Additionally, 82 cases of advertising betting services and totalizers were identified.
The authorized bodies sent requests for action against 76 websites that promoted gambling and risk-related games. As a result of these measures, more than 50 such sites were blocked.
On social media, the committee discovered three bloggers with significant audiences who published video clips in scene formats promoting betting services and gambling. Corresponding administrative protocols were drawn up against these individuals.
Measures were applied to 83 entities for all the listed incidents, in accordance with current legislation.
As an illustrative example, the committee cited cases of promoting gambling under the Melbet brand on social networks. Citizens involved in this incurred administrative liability, and the materials were transferred to court.
The Committee also noted that some companies engaged in the production and sale of medical devices and medicines used 'forms, expressions, and images contrary to national and family traditions, as well as generally accepted norms of morality and spirituality' in their advertising, which was confirmed by the conclusion of the responsible body.
As part of advertising monitoring, the committee requested more than 30 expert opinions from the Ministry of Health. Ultimately, deficiencies were rectified in more than 20 cases.
Furthermore, during the analysis and expertise of advertising materials, the agency examined over 18,000 samples and concluded non-compliance with legislative requirements in 25% of cases.
Since the beginning of the current year, the committee has also sent about 10,000 warnings and requests to various entities: mass media, administrators of Telegram channels and groups, websites in the uz domain, advertising agencies, as well as advertisers, producers, distributors, and clients.