'Report their a**': Controversial mobile advert outrages Aussies
- Replies 4
In the wake of natural disasters, it's common for communities to band together to offer support and compassion.
It's a time when solidarity is paramount, and anything less could be seen as a misstep.
Unfortunately, not everyone understands this unwritten rule, as some Aussies recently discovered to their dismay.
Cyclone Alfred recently swept through Queensland and New South Wales, which left a trail of destruction in its wake.
Images of the aftermath were sobering: homes crushed under fallen trees, downed power lines, submerged roads, and beaches stripped of their sand.
It was clearly a time for everyone to recover and rebuild what they lost.
Yet, many Aussies shook their heads in disbelief as an odd text message began circulating among locals.
The text message exploited many people's fears and concerns surrounding Cyclone Alfred.
The text message initially appeared to be a critical update on the cyclone.
However, it quickly revealed itself as a crass advertisement.
'CYCLONE ALFRED UPDATE,' the text began ominously. 'It's definitely still happening.'
The message continued and read, 'Also, The TOYOTA PRADO or $80K tax-free cash giveaway is only 4% SOLD (186 entrants) with 5x ENTRIES finishing in 2 HOURS!'
The message, sent from an unknown number, concluded with a flippant sign-off.
The use of a natural disaster as a hook for a giveaway left many recipients fuming.
One of the recipients posted the message online.
'Bit insensitive, you reckon?' they posted, which immediately sparked a wave of condemnation from other people.
Commenters quickly expressed their disgust and called the tactic 'gross' and 'offensive'.
'Things are hard. In these trying times, remember to help us corporations out and buy a car,' one sarcastically commented.
'This is some Black Mirror s***. What the f***?' another asked in disbelief as they compared it to the dystopian Netflix series, Black Mirror.
'Worse than insensitive, co-opting the title of a warning message for a f******ad,' a third comment read.
On top of the criticism, some users also encouraged the poster to report the company responsible for the ad.
'You should provide this to NSW fair trading,' one advised.
'Report their a** to Fair Trade,' another agreed.
'I think in addition to NSW fair trading, I reckon the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) would have fun poking around in this one,' a third added.
'I am almost 100 per cent certain that it's against the law to use emergency weather events as an advertisement opportunity, especially in the manner,' a commenter explained.
Torque Crew, the company behind the controversial message, claimed to be 'Australia's newest motoring community' based in Queensland.
However, sceptics pointed out several red flags on the Torque Crew website.
Some noticed the absence of an Australian domain, which led to suspicions that the group might be a part of a scam.
As of this writing, Torque Crew has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
This incident should be a reminder to be wary of any opportunistic scams that could prey on people, especially during distressing situations.
If you or someone you know received similar messages, report them immediately to the appropriate authorities.
Not only is it potentially illegal to exploit emergencies for advertising, but it's also a breach of the trust and goodwill that communities rely on during difficult times.
Have you ever encountered an advertisement that was of poor taste? How did you respond? Share your experiences and stories with us in the comments below.
It's a time when solidarity is paramount, and anything less could be seen as a misstep.
Unfortunately, not everyone understands this unwritten rule, as some Aussies recently discovered to their dismay.
Cyclone Alfred recently swept through Queensland and New South Wales, which left a trail of destruction in its wake.
Images of the aftermath were sobering: homes crushed under fallen trees, downed power lines, submerged roads, and beaches stripped of their sand.
It was clearly a time for everyone to recover and rebuild what they lost.
Yet, many Aussies shook their heads in disbelief as an odd text message began circulating among locals.
The company started promoting their ongoing raffle amid emergencies brought by Cyclone Alfred. Image Credits: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko, Reddit/I**** in Pants
The text message exploited many people's fears and concerns surrounding Cyclone Alfred.
The text message initially appeared to be a critical update on the cyclone.
However, it quickly revealed itself as a crass advertisement.
'CYCLONE ALFRED UPDATE,' the text began ominously. 'It's definitely still happening.'
The message continued and read, 'Also, The TOYOTA PRADO or $80K tax-free cash giveaway is only 4% SOLD (186 entrants) with 5x ENTRIES finishing in 2 HOURS!'
The message, sent from an unknown number, concluded with a flippant sign-off.
The use of a natural disaster as a hook for a giveaway left many recipients fuming.
One of the recipients posted the message online.
'Bit insensitive, you reckon?' they posted, which immediately sparked a wave of condemnation from other people.
Commenters quickly expressed their disgust and called the tactic 'gross' and 'offensive'.
'Things are hard. In these trying times, remember to help us corporations out and buy a car,' one sarcastically commented.
'This is some Black Mirror s***. What the f***?' another asked in disbelief as they compared it to the dystopian Netflix series, Black Mirror.
'Worse than insensitive, co-opting the title of a warning message for a f******ad,' a third comment read.
On top of the criticism, some users also encouraged the poster to report the company responsible for the ad.
'You should provide this to NSW fair trading,' one advised.
'Report their a** to Fair Trade,' another agreed.
'I think in addition to NSW fair trading, I reckon the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) would have fun poking around in this one,' a third added.
'I am almost 100 per cent certain that it's against the law to use emergency weather events as an advertisement opportunity, especially in the manner,' a commenter explained.
Torque Crew, the company behind the controversial message, claimed to be 'Australia's newest motoring community' based in Queensland.
However, sceptics pointed out several red flags on the Torque Crew website.
Some noticed the absence of an Australian domain, which led to suspicions that the group might be a part of a scam.
As of this writing, Torque Crew has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
This incident should be a reminder to be wary of any opportunistic scams that could prey on people, especially during distressing situations.
If you or someone you know received similar messages, report them immediately to the appropriate authorities.
Not only is it potentially illegal to exploit emergencies for advertising, but it's also a breach of the trust and goodwill that communities rely on during difficult times.
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