Tech sector fingered by ad watchdog

Again

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Business, 24th April 2001 16:37 GMT

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Telecoms and computer companies have been singled by the advertising watchdog for making claims they simply cannot deliver.

In its annual report for 2000 the Advertising Standards Authority received 1,158 complaints about the adverts published by companies in this sector - up slightly from the 1,028 received the year before.

This makes it the second most complained about market sector for two years on the trot. And the industry would have topped the list of complaints if it hadn't been for that lass with nowt on but a pair of uncomfortable shoes advertising perfume.

The ASA said: "The increase in complaints about computer and telecommunications advertising seems to reflect an intensely competitive market, in which advertisers sometimes pushed their claims too far in order to gain a competitive advantage."

Cableco, ntl, was responsible for the fourth most whinged about ad last year, according to the ASA.