US retailer Wish.com has been reprimanded after an advertisement for a penis extension strap appeared in video game apps used by children.
The UK’s Advertising Standards Agency was far from cock-a-hoop after complaints from users of Zynga’s Crazy Cake Swap and Ketchapp’s 2048.
Those apps have Pegi 3 ratings, applied to tools deemed suitable for all.
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The ASA explained the ad featured “an animated image of a penis above a second animated image of an extender strap being applied to the penis.”
The ad only received three complaints, but that was enough. Are you surprised?
The ASA, which doesn’t have the power to fine the company, added: “We considered that given the content of the apps, they were likely to have a broad appeal to all ages including children. The ad must not appear again in an untargeted medium.”
This isn’t the first time Wish’s ads have fallen foul of the ASA.
Last November, it was criticised for advertising a “red and bloody” temporary “bite” tattoo in a kids’ app called Simon’s Cat Crunch Time. In another incident it was criticised by for an ad showing a baby’s bottom, juxtaposed by an image of a woman in a revealing catsuit.
The ASA will likely be keeping one eye on Wish from now on.
“In all three rulings against Wish.com, we have directly contacted the media owners and planners who have been involved in the placement of Wish.com’s ads,” a spokeswoman told the BBC.
“We have since received assurances from these media owners and planners that they will either refuse future advertising from Wish.com or adapt their processes to ensure more appropriate ad targeting.”
If you’re interested, by the way, the strap is only £21.
Tell us about some of your favourite mobile games @TrustedReviews on Twitter. Unfortunately, there are no plans for a penis extension gadget group test at this stage.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
