AI · SEMICONDUCTOR · FACT CHECK

SKD WIRE

EN WIRE · 2026-10-22 14:48

Using Terms Like 'AI Lawyer' or 'AI Mattress' Without Basis Constitutes False or Exaggerated Advertising Under New AI Advertising Guidelines

True

South Korean regulators have drawn up AI advertising guidelines stating that loosely labeling products or services as "AI" — such as calling something an "AI lawyer" or "AI mattress" without genuine AI functionality — amounts to false or exaggerated advertising.

원문 주장 (KR)
'AI변호사·AI매트' 함부로 쓰면 거짓·과장…AI 광고지침 마련

Crackdown on 'AI-washing' in Ads

The guidelines address the growing practice of attaching the "AI" label to products and services whose AI capabilities are minimal or nonexistent. Under the rules, using terms like "AI lawyer" or "AI mattress" without substantiation is treated as deceptive or inflated advertising subject to regulatory action.

The guidelines define when an AI claim is permissible and require advertisers to be able to substantiate that the advertised product or service actually incorporates AI technology in a meaningful way.

Enforcement Background

The guidelines were prepared amid rising consumer complaints and regulatory concern over indiscriminate AI branding as AI products proliferate across industries. The rules give regulators a clearer basis for penalizing advertisers who misuse the label.

Specific penalty amounts and the implementation timeline remain unconfirmed in the available information.

Conclusion

The claim that using labels such as "AI lawyer" or "AI mattress" without genuine AI functionality constitutes false or exaggerated advertising under the newly prepared AI advertising guidelines is True.

Verdict: True

Sources — primary documents (9)
  1. https://www.ftc.go.kr/www/selectBbsNttView.do?bordCd=3&key=12&nttSn=48140&searchCtgry=01,02
  2. https://www.ftc.go.kr/www/downloadBbsFile.do?atchmnflNo=55045
  3. https://www.ftc.go.kr/www/downloadBbsFile.do?atchmnflNo=51968
  4. https://www.consumer.go.kr/user/ftc/consumer/cnsmrBBS/740/selectInfoCDMGCSLCDetail.do?infoId=A1081219&cntntsId=00000347
  5. https://supple.kr/news/cmviukwyk003zng5a33mheqdv
  6. https://m.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/news/AKR2026102210344260o
  7. https://www.newsprime.co.kr/news/article/?no=752000
  8. https://www.kookje.co.kr/news2011/asp/newsbody.asp?key=20261022.99099006447
  9. https://www.ftc.go.kr/www/downloadBbsFile.do?atchmnflNo=55044

KR: /news/20261022-49c73f · 판정: 사실