http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...pon-probe.html
Groupon could be taken to court as a result of the probe, and potentially face both criminal and civil charges.
The Advertising Standards Authority revealed today that it has referred Groupon to the OFT, after ?repeated breaches? by the online business sparked ?serious concerns? about its approach to UK advertising regulation. The OFT has secretly been undertaking its own investigation into Groupon, which it started in June but only admitted to today.
It is only the second time that the ASA has referred a company to the OFT ? the last being Ryanair in 2008.
?We are taking this approach because, given Groupon?s track record, we have serious concerns about its ability to adhere to the Advertising Code,? the ASA said.
Groupon, which floated on the New York stock exchange with a £8bn value earlier this year, has become very popular in Britain, with hundreds of thousands of consumers signing up to discounts on spa days, cosmetics, trips to the theatre and restaurant meals.
Groupon could be taken to court as a result of the probe, and potentially face both criminal and civil charges.
The Advertising Standards Authority revealed today that it has referred Groupon to the OFT, after ?repeated breaches? by the online business sparked ?serious concerns? about its approach to UK advertising regulation. The OFT has secretly been undertaking its own investigation into Groupon, which it started in June but only admitted to today.
It is only the second time that the ASA has referred a company to the OFT ? the last being Ryanair in 2008.
?We are taking this approach because, given Groupon?s track record, we have serious concerns about its ability to adhere to the Advertising Code,? the ASA said.
Groupon, which floated on the New York stock exchange with a £8bn value earlier this year, has become very popular in Britain, with hundreds of thousands of consumers signing up to discounts on spa days, cosmetics, trips to the theatre and restaurant meals.
Comment