Duo Claimed "Most Professionals and Elite University Grads," Hit With Penalties for "Groundless False and Exaggerated Ads"

These are screenshots of the homepage and outdoor bus advertisements run by matchmaking agency Duo starting in November 2022.

The ads claim that among their registered members, they have the industry-high 5,135 professionals and approximately 16,000 graduates from elite universities, both the highest numbers in the industry.

While they may seem factual at first glance, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) determined that these advertisements were false and exaggerated.

According to the FTC investigation, Duo merely tallied the number of professionals and elite university graduates among its own members without ever going through a process of comparing them with other matchmaking agencies, yet advertised them as the industry's highest.

The FTC explained that because the number of members in specific groups can significantly influence consumers' decisions when choosing a matchmaking agency, Duo's advertisements could mislead consumers and risk undermining fair trade order.

In another advertisement, Duo claimed from April 2022 onward that it was the industry's only corporation subject to external audits. However, the FTC explained that this was also false and exaggerated because other matchmaking agencies also undergo audits.

The claim that 230 professional managers, the industry's largest number, provide customized management was also judged to be false and exaggerated.

As of October 2023, the actual number of managers was only 188, and it was found that the number reached 230 only when regular employees were included.

For these violations of the Fair Labeling and Advertising Act regarding false advertising, the FTC imposed a corrective order, a publication order, and a penalty surcharge of 345 million won on Duo.

The FTC emphasized that because it is difficult for customers in the matchmaking market to know the exact details of a service before actually signing up and receiving it, it is crucial for businesses to provide accurate information based on objective grounds and facts when advertising.

(Reported by Hong Yeongjae | Video by Park Nayoung | Provided by the Fair Trade Commission | Produced by SBS Digital News)

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