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Public Citizen has asked the FTC to investigate Dr. Mehmet Oz for potential violations of influencer marketing standards due to his promotion of herbal supplements on social media without disclosing his financial connection to the brands. Despite being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Oz has faced criticism for his advertising practices. Public Citizen highlights that Oz’s posts do not disclose his financial connections or use appropriate hashtags such as #ad. They argue that consumers have the right to know if they are viewing an advertisement and apply the appropriate filters to assess authenticity.
Oz, known as “America’s doctor,” has a significant following on social media, where he engages in influencer marketing for iHerb products. While he discloses his relationship with iHerb on some platforms, such as Instagram and X, he fails to do so on Facebook, his largest platform. Public Citizen also raises concerns about Oz’s advertising practices on TikTok, where he has used the TikTok Shop feature to promote iHerb products.
The FTC guidelines require influencers to disclose any financial interests in the brands they promote within individual posts, rather than relying on bios for disclosure. Public Citizen argues that Oz’s disclosures may not meet FTC standards and could be automated by TikTok. The comments on Oz’s posts vary, with some viewers expressing concerns about his advertising practices and his potential role in shaping healthcare policies. Overall, the issue of undisclosed influencer marketing by political figures is a growing concern, as consumers may be deceived by celebrity endorsements without realizing the financial motives behind them.
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