Followed by hundreds of thousands of users on their social networks, four influencers have been singled out by the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). The authorities have thus asked to “stop deceptive commercial practices” on their Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube accounts.
Three of the four influencers, Mélanie Orlenko, Gulfer Taskiran and Amandine Pellissard were pinned for having deceived “the consumer about the legality” of a service, in this case injections of hyaluronic acid “by a service provider who does not have the qualifications required”, indicated the DGCCRF on its website. This acid is used, generally by young women, to “plump up” the lips.
Mélanie Orlenko has 778,000 followers on Instagram (@melanie_orl), Gulfer Taskiran, 488,000 followers (@feli-ccia) and Amandine Pellissard 372,000 people (@amandine.pellissard.off). The fourth, Fanny Sanial, has 341,000 subscribers on YouTube (@FannySNL).
Advertising for cosmetic surgery banned
The four influencers were criticized for not having indicated “the advertising nature” of videos or stories for which they were paid or received compensation. The repression of fraud thus ordered them to “stop these practices” and “to comply” with the consumer code.
Ten days ago, Fanny Sanial had published a video on YouTube where she explained “the sanction” of the DGCCRF, presenting her “apologies” to her subscribers as well as her “way of seeing things”.
The recent Delaporte-Vajetta law notably prohibits the promotion by the 150,000 influencers present in France of cosmetic surgery and prohibits or strongly regulates the promotion of several medical devices. It also tackles sports betting and gambling.
Other facts alleged against these influencers
Among other facts, Mélanie Orlenko was accused of “promoting sports betting advice” based on “performance and success claims” that are misleading for the consumer.
Gulfer Taskiran also attributed to cosmetic products “properties and results” not “demonstrated or justified by conclusive, verifiable and available elements”, communicated a false origin for food products and presented counterfeit clothing without announcing it.