ASCI launches mobile app ASCIonline

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), a self-regulatory organisation for the advertising industry has launched a mobile app by the name of ASCIonline. ASCI claims that it is India's first consumer complaint mobile application to provide consumer complaint services on the mobile platform besides providing the facility online. It is currently available on Android and iOS.

The complaints can be lodged by simply providing the details of the advertisement and stating the objection therein. Users can also attach files like image or video or a YouTube link of the advertisement for better clarity and to support the objection or unsubstantiated claims found by them. Moreover, one can check the history of all previous complaints. Tracking of complaints registered is easy as just keying in the tracking code of the complaint throws up all the required details at once.

Speaking on the occasion, Narendra Ambwani, chairman, ASCI said, "One of the goals of ASCI is to provide convenient access for lodging complaint and hence this launch. Today, mobiles devices are more widely used compared to desktops. With the growing use of smartphones consumers want apps to put the power of doing transactions in their pocket."

Shweta Purandare, secretary general, ASCI, shares, "The app comes in handy when one is traveling. Simply click a picture and send it through our mobile app. Snap it and app it is the concept behind this feature."