Snicker.

[khaosworks]

Microsoft ad pulled by ASA
BY STEPHEN WHITFORD, ZAFINANCE JOURNALIST

[Johannesburg, 20 March 2003] - The Advertising Standards Authority of SA (ASA) has ordered that a Microsoft ad implying that its software will bring about the extinction of the hacker is to be pulled for being "unsubstantiated and misleading".

The ad under the spotlight. Its caption states: 'Microsoft software is carefully designed to keep your company's valuable information in, and unauthorised people and viruses out. Which means that your data couldn't really be safer, even if you kept it in a safe. Which is great news for the survival of your company. But tragic news for hackers.'
An objection was lodged by freelance journalist Richard Clarke, in his personal capacity, who complained that the advert was untrue. He claimed Microsoft software is littered with vulnerabilities.

The advert depicts a dodo, a woolly mammoth, a sabre tooth tiger and a hacker. The caption claims that not everyone benefits from Microsoft software and that with it, a customer's data couldn't be safer even if it was kept in a safe. It was published in the November issues of ITWeb Brainstorm and Time Magazine.

"Microsoft's software is littered with vulnerabilities," Clarke says in his submission.

Microsoft was asked by the ASA to provide information, substantiated by an independent, credible expert, on the degree of security of its software in accordance with Code of Advertising Practices. Microsoft was also asked to defend the advert against Clarke's claim that the advert was misleading.

Microsoft submitted documentation to substantiate its claims about the security of the software and said the advert was not designed to mislead the consumer, but was merely a tongue in cheek dramatisation that the software would threaten the survival of hackers.

The ad's caption states: 'Microsoft software is carefully designed to keep your company's valuable information in, and unauthorised people and viruses out. Which means that your data couldn't really be safer, even if you kept it in a safe. Which is great news for the survival of your company. But tragic news for hackers.'

I really don't think there's anything else left to say.

Comments

another snicker

[zencuppa.livejournal.com]

Kudos to Richard Clarke, for calling Microsoft on the carpet *rightous laugh.*

[pickledginger.livejournal.com]

"Microsoft software is carefully designed to keep your company's valuable information in, and unauthorised people and viruses out."

That's false advertising, all right!
Yup, just open a Windows and come on in!