In the race for influence, are talent agencies losing their grip on influencers?

Exploitation and malpractices-related issues are exacerbated for micro and nano influencers who lack bargaining power, say experts. (Image: ali-abdul-rahman via Unsplash)

With rising competition, commissions and opaque contracts, some influencers are taking matters into their own hands — dismantling the power of talent managers in the process.

TECH 2025: Trends that will shape our lives as consumers in the year ahead

Social media companies, brands, and influencers have increasingly adopted the term “creator” for the many forms of social media content producers thriving today, from bloggers, vloggers, livestreamers to Instagrammers and TikTok stars. But there is a key difference. Read on to find out. (Image: igor-omilaev via Unsplash)

2025 is the year when AI meets influence. The year everyone becomes a Creator, but few will lead. Read Shubhranshu Singh’s views on the big bets in tech and social media.

Why is Bar Council of India unable to rein in ‘legal’ influencers?

The BCI is only empowered to take action against a legal practitioner, when the person is found to be at odds with law. (Image Source: Legal Era)

Advocates hold forth on the limitations of the apex body of lawyers to come up with cogent norms to arrest the growing menace. They offer suggestions and solutions that can make the general public about the do’s and don’ts while following these legal influencers’ advice.

How legal influencers are breaching BCI Rules

Siddharth Chandrashekhar, advocate & counsel, Bombay High Court (HC) said, “Influencers wearing these robes while dispensing ‘legal advice’ exploit this symbolism, misleading audiences into believing they are performing official legal duties. Gowns are for the courtroom.” (Stills from the reels)

An alarming trend has come to light following the mushrooming of influencers in the legal arena. Misleading information rules the roost coupled with rampant violation of Bar Council of India rules. Storyboard18 digs deep into the repercussions and the dire need for regulations to bridge the critical gap.

Rise of legal influencers and misinformation

The advent of social media and digital platforms, which have democratised dissemination of information, allows legal influencers to share their knowledge with a broader audience. The trend has also resulted in the spread of misinformation, said Amrita S Nair, Advocate, Bombay High Court (HC). She attributed the ill-effects to a lack of expertise or an indulgence in sensationalism to attract more followers on social media. (Image Source: Unsplash)

The growing number of legal influencers in the country is causing concern among experts about the impacts of influencer-activity in the space.