‘Breach of privacy’: Shark Tank judge Namita Thapar wants hoarding using her pic to be taken down

Shark Tank India judge and Emcure Pharma Executive Director, Namita Thapar is unhappy about an unauthorised use of her photo in an advertisement and she wants the ad to be taken down as soon as possible. She shared a photo of a large hoarding on Twitter on Monday and asked the advertisement, which used her photo, to be taken down.  

“This is absolutely unauthorised use, breach of privacy & needs to be taken down as soon as possible,” she tweeted.

This is abs unauthorised use, breach of privacy & needs to be taken down asap. pic.twitter.com/kxFArZT8Qo

— Namita (@namitathapar) June 12, 2023

The Shark Tank India judge shared the photo of the large hoarding, which seems to be installed by The Media Ant, a leading advertising agency with its offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.  The hoarding carries a photo of Namita with her signature comment from the popular investment reality show. She has not revealed the location of the hoarding.

“Ye Meri Expertise hai, I am in,” was written under the picture of Namita on the hoarding. The advertisement also boasted “Empowering all to advertise, 5,000 plus companies; 3,000 plus brands.”

Namita accused the ad agency company of breaching privacy and called it an absolutely unauthorised use of her picture. Though many on Twitter also supported her, a few also questioned her ‘breach of privacy’ allegation.

A Twitter user came to Namita’s support and said, "Sue them immediately."

"Unauthorised—surely understandable, maybe punishable too. But, a breach of privacy? How? I thought these episodes were telecast on national television and OTT platforms. Not to forget YouTube, Instagram, memes, etc.," said a second user.

A third user commented, "Well if you post your personal stuff on a public platform like Twitter, it’s technically not considered a breach of privacy. Maybe it’s time to learn some internet safety?"

Unauthorised - surely understandable, maybe punishable too.

But, Breach of privacy? How?

I thought these episodes were telecast on National television and OTT platforms. Not to forget YouTube, Instagram, memes etc.

What am I missing here? Someone kindly explain.

— StocksFTW (@ShashankSaroff) June 12, 2023

Namita Thapar gained popularity as a judge of Shark Tank India the first and second seasons of the show. Shark Tank India is going to make a comeback on the Sony TV channel with its third edition. Registration for the third season opened on June 3 and the entrepreneurs can register for the show via the SonlyLiv app.