The Twitter advertizing platform isn’t even live yet and the UK’s advertizing standards watchdog already wants tighter controls. The same goes for Facebook.According to The Guardian, the ASA wants oversight of all forms of social media advertising, not just the digital remit it has today of banner and web site display ads. The ASA says tighter controls of social media marketing – i.e. governing how user profiles may be used by advertisers wishing to incorporate their fresh faces in real time into their promotions – is designed to protect children and minors on social networks.

The ASA’s push into social media marketing comes as little surprise. Any time members of the public knowingly (hopefully, knowingly) participate in a brand campaign it opens up a whole new set of advertising standards issues. For privacy scaremongers, take heart: most major brands tread with extreme caution when it comes to incorporating the public into their brand campaigns. Still, the sting of an ASA sanction/fine should make all marketers even doubly cautious.