ICOB 3.9 The Internet and other electronic media

This section contains guidance on the use of the Internet and other electronic media to communicatefinancial promotions. Firms are also referred to the guidance in ICOB 2.6 (Application to electronic media).

Any material which meets the definition of a non-investment financial promotion, including any video or moving image material incorporated in any website containing a non-investment financial promotion, should comply with the rules in this chapter. See PERG 8.221 (The Internet) for further guidance on non-investment financial promotions on the Internet, including the treatment of hyperlinks and banners.

1. (1)

   Before using the Internet, digital or any other form of interactive television or other electronic media to promote its services a firm should refer to legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Computer Misuse Act 1990, as well as to this chapter.

2. (2)

   When designing websites and other electronic media, firms should be aware of the difficulties that can arise when reproducing certain colours and printing certain types of text. These difficulties could cause problems with the presentation and retrieval of required information. Any non-investment financial promotion communicated by the Internet, digital or other forms of interactive television is subject to the requirements set out in ICOB 3.8 as applicable.

The FSA's website http://www.fsa.gov.uk contains a wide range of information, including pages of specific relevance to customers. Firms may, if they wish, include a reference or hyperlink to the FSA's website; this will not, however, replace any requirements of ICOB 3.