Consumer Protection And Social Media

Social media is a great way for business to be where customers are spending time. But there are some rules that you need to know to stay on the right side of the law.

Here's what the ACCC has to say about it

"Social media gives large and small businesses a direct way to interact with existing and potential customers, and promote their products and services. Businesses using social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have a responsibility to ensure content on their pages is accurate, irrespective of who put it there."

While it looks like "anything goes" - it doesn't. You have an obligation to act honestly and within the guidelines that protect consumers, just as you do in your business normally. 

Note that this honesty of information also includes anything that OTHERS may write on your profile - your obligation is to monitor what others might be saying on your social media properties and ensuring that misleading information is dealt with in the appropriate manner. 

GUIDELINES:

•      Don't make misleading claims on social media
•      Don't allow others to make misleading claims in comments
•      Minimise your risk
•      Monitoring social media pages
•      Responding to false, misleading or deceptive comments instead of removing them
•      ACCC role in enforcement of social media
•      Offer your customers a refund
•       See the ACC website for full explanations of these issues - Click Here