Is misleading or false advertising illegal?

Misleading advertising in Germany includes false or deceptive claims about product features, pricing, origin, performance, or consumer rights — any statement likely to influence a consumer’s decision they wouldn’t otherwise make.

Yes, you may be able to sue for compensation if a company’s false or misleading advertisement caused you financial loss — under section 36 of the Competition Act.

Yes, it is illegal under the Australian Consumer Law to advertise a product as 'Australian made' if it was manufactured overseas and does not meet the legal criteria for that claim.

Yes, you can complain to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) if a trader used misleading advertising in Ireland.

Yes, you can take action under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act if a company used misleading advertisements — the law prohibits such conduct and allows consumers to seek remedies including refunds or compensation.

Yes, advertising a lower price than the actual price you're charged is generally illegal in the EU under consumer protection rules that prohibit misleading pricing practices.

Yes, you can claim compensation for loss caused by a misleading advertisement under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the ASCI Code.

In South Korea, sellers who make exaggerated advertisements may face fines up to ₩20 million or imprisonment up to 2 years under the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising.

Yes, it is illegal for a trader to use misleading pricing to trick you into buying — this breaches the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

No, federal law prohibits companies from using deceptive advertising to trick consumers into buying products.

Yes, you can sue a company for deceptive advertising in California under the False Advertising Law (FAL) and the Unfair Competition Law (UCL). Consumers may recover actual damages or $1,000 per violation, whichever is greater.

False advertising in New York is any deceptive act or practice in consumer transactions that misleads the public, including false, misleading, or incomplete statements about goods or services.

In Japan, misrepresentation is not defined as a standalone civil wrong but may constitute fraud (sagi) under the Civil Code, which requires intentional deception about material facts that induces another party to act.