18/01/2012

The ASA has recently adjudicated on a TV ad for Citroen which contained photo sensitive epilepsy (PSE) triggers deemed to be in breach of the Ofcom guidelines for flashing images and regular patterns.

The ad had, before being broadcast, passed the test for flashing images – the Harding’s test – which is the most accurate test available for flashing images. The ad in question contained flashing of a kind that has not previously been seen and neither been caught by the Harding’s test. As a result of the adjudication, Cambridge Research Systems, which is responsible for the software behind the Harding’s test, has refined the algorithms used to spot this specific case.

Clearcast's clearance system, Adway as well as its www.onlineflashtest.com have both been upgraded with the new software, to help agencies avoid breaching the guidelines for flashing images.