Colombia | Consumer Protection | Influencer Charged for Providing Misleading Information

SIC, Colombia’s industry and commerce authority is pressing charges against an influencer for allegedly spreading misleading information, by promoting and offering the “Provid Covid 19 Rapid Test” through social media.

According to SIC’s charges, Elizabeth Loaiza -a model and influencer- promoted and offered the subject tests, spreading apparently false information that could infringe upon the local consumer protection law. Apparently, she had also failed to attend to SIC’s requests for information.

The charges against Loaiza stem from media coverage of her social media publications, as well as from the country’s food and drug watchdog´s warnings regarding the subject tests not being over-the-counter products since rapid tests are not effective for diagnosing COVID-19, and merely serve the purpose of aiding health professionals in making decisions regarding diagnostic and treatment, as well as isolation measures.

Based on the possible infringement of consumer’s rights to count on reliable information regarding circulating goods and to be protected against misleading information, SIC formally charged Loaiza, who has been given a period of 15 working days for defending herself and producing evidence supporting her innocence. If found guilty, she could be subject to fines, as high as $800,000.00.

Click here to access SIC´s charges.