Advertising watchdog, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), has extended its jurisdiction to cover the online marketing and ads.

Starting from March 1, 2011, online marketing and ads will be subject to the strict advertising rules introduced by the ASA.

Marketing statements on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter will also be scrutinized by the advertising watchdog.

It means that from March next year the rules covering misleading advertising, social accountability and the safety of children will also apply to all online marketing by all sectors, businesses and organizations, irrespective of size.

Speaking on the move, ASA chairman Lord Chris Smith stated, "This significant extension of the ASA's remit has the protection of children and consumers at its heart.”

The ASA has received over 4,500 complaints since 2008 about marketing communications on websites that the watchdog could not deal with as it hadn’t any extension into the unmanageable wilds of the internet.

Internet search giant Google has also agreed to sign up to the new system, and is now completely co-operating.