(Image source from: YouTube)
The beverage giant PepsiCo has filed a petition against social media platforms and American tech companies for defaming its best-selling crisps brand 'Kurkure.'
There have been prevailing rumors over Kurkure claiming that it contains plastic. There are countless videos on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube showing the burning of this crispy snack and the "presence" of plastic in Kurkure. PepsiCo claimed that they found these companies have provided a platform to publish these disparaging posts which affect their brand.
Reportedly, the Delhi High Court has given an interim order instructing social media platforms to block years of "defamatory" posts.
"Kurkure is an extremely loved brand and consumed by families across India. However, fake news suggesting that Kurkure has plastic in it and it has adversely affected the brand's reputation. Due to such fake and defamatory content circulating on social media, PepsiCo India was constrained to move the Honorable Delhi High Court," a PepsiCo spokesperson said in a statement.
"This step has been taken to protect brand equity, a matter that we take very seriously at PepsiCo. We are working constantly with all the platforms, to collectively counter the issue of the spread of fake and defamatory content, following all procedural obligations to ensure compliance with the court order," added the spokesperson.
The petition stated that these posts disseminate the myth that plastic is used as one of the ingredients to make Kurkure. PepsiCo went to the extent of suing Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram for letting disparaging and defamatory posts against Kurkure.
PepsiCo in its suit demanded Rs 2.1 crore for damages in addition to blocking all the defaming links and posts. Delhi High Court accorded an interim, dated June 1 and June 23, 2018, stating social media platforms to block all URL/web links that are related to the rumor of plastic content in Kurkure. HC gave defendants 4 weeks to block and remove these contents.
On Monday, July 23, the court directed the social media platforms to submit the account details of individuals who had posted/shared disparaging content about Kurkure in a "sealed envelope" to the court.
By Sowmya Sangam
