Kardashians
TINA.org investigated the Instagram accounts of Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, as well as Kylie and Kendall Jenner, and found that they were each engaged in deceptive marketing — publishing Instagram posts promoting various companies, including Puma, Calvin Klein, Fit Tea and SugarBearHair, without clearly and conspicuously disclosing their material connections to those companies or that the posts were ads, as is required by law.
Highlights
- Sent warning letter to family
- Notified companies promoted by family
- Filed complaint with FTC
- Family addressed more than half of deceptive posts identified by TINA.org
- Notified family and FTC of continuing deception
Timeline
2017
September 25
After re-auditing the original sampling and finding that 40% of the posts remain unchanged, and after collecting a new sampling of more than 200 deceptive social media posts, TINA.org alerts the family’s lawyer, as well as the FTC and representatives of companies deceptively promoted by the Kardashian/Jenner women, to the continuing issue.
2016
August 25
After auditing the original sampling of deceptive Instagram posts compiled in TINA.org’s database and finding that the majority of the posts remained unchanged, TINA.org files a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission urging it to open an investigation and take appropriate enforcement action against those companies and individuals found to be violating the law.
August 17
TINA.org sends a warning letter to Kris Jenner, manager of the five women who were investigated, as well as the family’s lawyer and the numerous companies at issue, notifying them of TINA.org’s findings and asking that they fully remedy the deceptive marketing immediately.
Evidence
Featured
Exposure without Disclosure: Cashing In with the Kardashians
TINA.org takes famous family’s deceptive social media endorsements to the FTC.
The Latest
With Kim Kardashian Fined $1.3 Million for Crypto Promotion, Which Other Celebs Could Be in Trouble?
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone
After Kim Kardashian’s SEC settlement, influencers working with brands could face more scrutiny – and fines
Marty Swant, Digiday
He Promised a Dreamy Wedding Proposal. Fans Got a 5-Hour Sale.
Tiffany May, New York Times
TINA.org’s Social Media Influencers Actions
A review of TINA.org’s work exposing deceptive marketing tactics by social media influencers.
Influencers Defy FTC Rules on Disclosure Despite Warnings
TINA.org finds 95 percent of social media influencers previously put on notice by the FTC breaking the law.
Ad or Not? Kris, Kendall Jenner and Proactiv
Fans decry mom’s crocodile tears in teaser post that turns out to be spon con.
Ad or Not? Kim Kardashian and Flat Tummy Lollipops
Kim takes two steps forward and one step back in remedying her latest influencer marketing controversy.
Ad or Not? Khloe Kardashian and Calvin Klein
An official ad campaign announcement has us taking a second look at another big reveal.
TINA.org is helping the FTC crack down on Kardashian-esque influencers
Ellen Vessels, The American Genius
Ad Watchdog TINA.org Follows Up on Kardashians’ Deceptive Advertising
MADISON, CONN. Sept. 26, 2017 –A little over a year ago, truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org) filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against the Kardashian/Jenner sisters for publishing social media posts that…