[SMK] Social Media Knowledge

DIGITAL MARKETING NEWS

Legal T&Cs: What you need to know

Technology has a habit of outpacing the law's ability to regulate, however the gap is closing and whenever a new ruling is made, we should all pay attention.

Legal lesson

The ACCC has just released the Advertising and selling guide and Country of origin claims and the Australian Consumer Law, which outline the legal obligations of Australian businesses when selling and promoting products, including online. 

While the documents are fairly dense, Melbourne legal firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth have put together a very handy document outlining the major points.

With great fan bases comes great responsibility

Under the new ruling if a customer makes a post on a brand's Facebook Page which is likely to mislead customers, the brand is liable.

Brands are instructed to remove such posts as soon as they become away of them, and encouraged to remove offensive, unlawful or clearly untrue posts.

This is different from removing critical posts, which many argue is bad social media policy to begin with. 

So remember to be vigilant when monitoring activity on your social accounts.

Online doesn't mean out of bounds

Under the update the ACCC now sees online operations (including  advertising and selling through email, social media, apps and online shopping sites) subject to the same rules governing traditional bricks and mortar stores.

It is recommended that if you use terms such as organic, environment and free range, these must be identified as marketing claims that require extra diligence. You should also include practical examples and case studies that provide guidance into how your products reflect these terms.

Play it safe

While in some quarters selling online remains unregulated, the ACCC is catching up.

Make sure you're across all the legal requirements so your next sale doesn't turn into a very large fine, or worse. 

To find out more visit corrs.com.au.

If you enjoyed this article then subscribe FREE to the twice weekly SMK Digital Bulletin, click here now or visit www.smk.net.au/subscribe.

Also, click here download a FREE Social Media Policy Research Paper – worth $495. This FREE in-depth 17 page paper features insights from both communications and legal experts at the likes of: National Australia Bank (NAB), Edelman, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Social@Ogilvy, SMK – Social Media Knowledge, The Victorian Electoral Commission. Or visit www.smk.net.au/downloads for details.

Learn with SMK through March

Start your SMK: Digital Excellence 30-day free trial today and unlock unlimited, on-demand access to hundreds of hours of digital masterclasses, training courses and hands-on tutorials.

Your risk-free trial offers the perfect opportunity to expand and upgrade your digital intellectual property.

Each month SMK releases 30 hours of new and updated social media and digital marketing educational course content, ensuring you never get left behind – be it on digital strategy, tactics or implementation.

Alongside this, SMK offers live help and support weekly within the SMK Working Group. It might be a quick fix or the root of a bigger problem; either way, a problem shared is a problem halved. On a day-to-day basis, SMK’s team gives you hands-on support and fresh ideas.

Not to mention a shoulder to cry on, occasionally.

March's Courses, Live Help & Support Options

Live Member Clinics every Monday & Tuesday from 1 pm – 2 pm AEST
  • Live help and support from SMK’s team of analysts.
  • Book in to request a personalised discussion for 15 or 30m via Zoom within the Facebook Working Group.
Weekly Technical Labs: Google Analytics 4 on Wednesdays from 1 pm – 2 pm AEST
  • Technical Labs explore the technological process and workflows related to key digital marketing activities.
SEO Made Easy Masterclass on Thursdays from 10 am – 12 pm AEST
  • Module One: 2024 Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
  • Module Two: Understanding Technical SEO, User Experience & Google Search Console
  • Module Three: On-Page SEO, Website Copywriting & Content Marketing
  • Module Four: Off-Page SEO, Local SEO & Google Business Profile Optimisation
Digital Marketing Evaluation Masterclass on Fridays from 11 am – 1 pm AEST
  • Module One: 2024 Ads Trends, Landscape and Opportunities
  • Module Two: Social Ad Reporting, Evaluation & Campaign Optimisation
  • Module Three: Advertising Strategy, Targeting & Campaign Planning
  • Module Four: Social Ad Creative, Copywriting & Campaign Testing

Leave a Comment