Is it illegal to be used in advertisements without your permission?

[JfrostCAN]

It depends on how advertisers got your information. If you entered any previous contests, or participated in any past promotions, these companies or advertisers usually have a statement in their conditions saying that your name or any images of you, may be used in other promotions, etc. If you signed anything or, if on the internet, clicked on any of their links to contests, etc, you may have unwittingly given them the permission to use you in their ads.

If you use Facebook, every application that you use collects your personal information, friends list, etc from your Facebook profile, and to whom they send it, is anyone's guess. Many of the users on Facebook are real suckers when it comes to these applications, and all of a sudden their personal information is up for grabs by any advertiser who has the means to collect it.

If you really need to prevent your name or any image of you from being used in these kinds of ads, or promotions, you will have to contact a lawyer, who can advise you on the proper course of action. A lawyer could even send them a letter, demanding they refrain from using your name, or any images in any current or future ad campaigns.