Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-09-08 02:14Core Viewpoint - Internet advertising platforms are reportedly extending the actual playback time of ads beyond the indicated duration, effectively "stealing" users' time [1][3][20]. Group 1: Findings from Video Platforms - A survey by Hongxing Capital found that platforms like Youku, Mango TV, and iQIYI have ads that play longer than the time displayed [3][20]. - On Youku, an ad marked as 119 seconds actually played for 123 seconds, resulting in a 4-second discrepancy [5][7]. - Mango TV's ad labeled as 80 seconds played for 83 seconds, leading to a 3-second overrun [8][10]. - iQIYI's ad marked as 120 seconds played for 123 seconds, indicating a 2-3 second excess [12][14]. Group 2: Responses from Platforms - Customer service from Youku acknowledged the issue but did not provide a clear resolution [7]. - Mango TV claimed that the discrepancy was due to loading and buffering times, asserting that the ad duration was aligned with the actual content [11]. - iQIYI's response suggested that users should rely on the front-end display, without addressing the timing issue directly [17]. Group 3: Legal Interpretations - Legal experts argue that the misrepresentation of ad durations constitutes false advertising and violates consumer protection laws [20][21]. - The discrepancy in ad timing can mislead consumers regarding the effective duration of the advertisement, infringing on their rights [21][22]. - The lack of clear units (like "seconds") in the countdown may lead to consumer confusion, further complicating the legal standing of these practices [22][23].