ASA ruling on study app

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint that the advertisements for three job listings were misleading and falsely implied that the marketer was acting outside of its trade, business craft, or profession.

The job listings were posted on StudySmarter GmbH’s website, with the first featuring the text, “Senior Litigation Paralegal – Case Prep & Litigation Support in Maidstone”. Text underneath stated, “Maidstone. Full time. 36,0000 – 60,000 £ / year (est.). No home office possible” and it included a clickable button labelled “Apply now”. The second listing featured a Norwich University of the Arts company profile and two job listings with text that stated, “Part-time Hourly lecturer — Fashion Communication and Promotion (Journalism)” and “Marketing Coordinator”. The final listing featured the heading, “Approved Electrician”. Text underneath stated, “Full time. 36,0000 – 60,000 £ / year (est.). No home office possible” and included a clickable button labelled “Apply now”.

The companies that the job listings were posted for explained that the job listings had either been posted without their consent with incorrect salary information or that the vacancy did not exist. StudySmarter GmbH did not respond to the ASA when contacted.

As StudySmarter GmbH did not cooperate with the ASA, and the complainants stated that the job listings had not been authorised or did not exist, ASA considered that the ads were misleading to consumers and upheld the complaints. StudySmarter GmbH were also referred to CAP’s Compliance team.