Kaspersky Lab's sexting TV commercial gets banned in the UK

[midian182]

Russian firm Kaspersky Lab may create some excellent security products, but the same can’t be said of its TV ads. That’s according to the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which has banned a commercial for the antivirus giant after it received complaints from 70 viewers.

The ad appeared on UK TV stations last December. Promoting Kaspersky Total Security software, it starts with a woman unbuttoning her shirt to take a (presumably naked) selfie, while announcing that she wants to show herself but “only to my boyfriend.”

Despite the ad only being shown after Britain’s 9 p.m. watershed, the ASA notes that “older children” may have watched it. Those who complained argue that it could potentially “normalize” sexting for people under the age of 18.

The ASA called the ad “irresponsible,” and consulted with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). “A spokesperson stated that seeing adults engaging in the sending of sexualised images may reinforce the perception that the activity—which presented real risks for children and young people—was widespread and may increase the pressure and coercion that young people already experienced to engage in the practice," the ASA wrote.

The agency ruled that the ad breached BCAP Code rules 1.2 (Social responsibility) and 4.1 (Harm and offense).

Kaspersky Lab didn’t attempt to defend the commercial, but it did apologize for the offense it caused and said it would no longer be used. The company added that it would ensure its future ads were socially responsible and did not contain anything likely to cause harm to people under the age of 18 years.

You can check out the full ad in the video below, courtesy of the Daily Mail.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/68814-kaspersky-lab-exting-tv-commercial-gets-banned-uk.html

 

[lipe123]

Oh puhlease, "older kids" is not the issue, how out of touch are these people?

Looks like a very accurate commercial to me about current state of things online.

 

[Kenrick]

How do I download this for educational purposes?

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Oh puhlease, "older kids" is not the issue, how out of touch are these people?

Looks like a very accurate commercial to me about current state of things online.

The British are generally known as renowned traditionalists yet many of them break that mould It's the older high brow, fuddy duddy type that tend to be unwaverable and it's often them that rule the roost.

 

[Skjorn]

Oh puhlease, "older kids" is not the issue, how out of touch are these people?

Looks like a very accurate commercial to me about current state of things online.

The British are generally known as renowned traditionalists yet many of them break that mould It's the older high brow, fuddy duddy type that tend to be unwaverable and it's often them that rule the roost.

Its just people like that recent video in that little food shop where the red headed girl goes insane cause of a couple that was kissing. Can't even take a **** anymore without someone taking offense and saying its too stinky er somthing.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Its just people like that recent video in that little food shop where the red headed girl goes insane cause of a couple that was kissing. Can't even take a **** anymore without someone taking offense and saying its too stinky er somthing.

You and many others may find it acceptable but surprise, surprise... many don't and they have to be taken into consideration as well hence Kaspersky had no other option but to withdraw it slink away with it's tail between it's legs, hopefully with it's reputation still intact. Personally, it doesn't offend me but I can also see why it will offend others.

 

[Jeff Schmidt]

The far left and social justice warriors are always getting noticed. They just like to complain because they can. But I think people are tired of it. Look at the backlash sjw are getting for the "pepsi" commercial for complaining about a commercial. Or look at "Audi" with there Superbowl sjw commercial. The hate they got was nuclear and I can't remember if it hurt there sales.

Or take Marvel comics with there whole sjw take on everything. It didn't sell and people hated it so Marvel is relaunching everything this fall and not catering to the "complain about everything" sjw crowd. Because most of them are broke because they can't hold a job because everything "triggers" them and they have to complain about it.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Despite the ad only being shown after Britain’s 9 p.m. watershed, the ASA notes that “older children” may have watched it. Those who complained argue that it could potentially “normalize” sexting for people under the age of 18.

I can't believe they are naive enough to think, it is not "normalized" already.

 

[CaptainTom]

Ehhh the last "Couple" wasn't too great either lol.

Really the whole thing was Fake News. Then again, that is what Russia is best at