From: yossarian at planet.nl (yossarian)
Subject: Microsoft runs early April Fools ad

They've run similar ads in the Netherlands. No one objected though. Finding
an independent specialist to prove or disprove it will be hard, i guess,
since either you say it is secure, and you lose your credibility, or you say
it is insecure, and when people stop using MS, you lose a major part of the
business.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms@...puterbytesman.com>
To: <full-disclosure@...ts.netsys.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 5:01 AM
Subject: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft runs early April Fools ad


> http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2003/0303201315.asp?A=SFT&S=Sof
> tware&T=Section&O=FPSH
>
> Microsoft ad pulled by ASA
>
> 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".
>
> 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.
>
> After reviewing both parties' submissions, the ASA ruled that
> Microsoft's claims about the security of its software were
> unsubstantiated as it had not been evaluated by an independent entity.
> The ASA ruling said because the claim was unsubstantiated, it was
> therefore misleading and ordered the advert to be withdrawn.
>
> Steyn Laubscher, Microsoft account director at Lowe Bull Advertising
> agency, says Microsoft is in the process of having Windows XP
> Professional and Windows .Net server 2003 evaluated by independent
> experts against the common criteria.
>
> "Substantial information was submitted from our US office, backing up
> the claims. Our survey data are still in the process of being evaluated
> by independent experts and we informed the ASA of that. However, the ASA
> still ordered the ad withdrawn."
>
> Laubscher says despite the decision, Microsoft fully maintains that its
> software is able to fulfil the task of keeping hackers and viruses out,
> making the customers' data safer than if kept in a safe.
>
> Clarke described Microsoft's claim as "laughable".
>
> The advert was to be run this year in a number of broad-reaching
> business publications, including Business Day, the Financial Mail and
> Business Report.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Full-Disclosure - We believe in it.
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