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Microsoft Paying for Positive Xbox One Coverage on YouTube

Posted by Unknown on from the smell-of-fresh-cut-astroturf dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft, partnered with Machinima, has put forth a promotion for YouTube personalities: make a video about the Xbox One and get money for it. Problematically, they also require the reviewer not to disclose that they're getting paid (or mention anything negative), which breaks FTC disclosure rules (PDF). Microsoft has a well-known history of astroturfing, but is this the first proof of them doing it illegally?"

6 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. And? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    And this type of action is new or newsworthy how?

    I certainly hope this type of act is reported for each and every company that ever does it. Maybe we can dedicate a whole website to the 1,000s of companies that do this type of thing. We'll call it NothingNewHereAtAll.wtf and it won't have the horendous /. beta format.

    1. Re:And? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Oh come on! Micrsoft has been busted for astroturfing hundreds of times and nobody gives a toss. Do you really think all those "fans" here really believe Win 8.1 is a great OS?

      Get a clue sunsine, there's not much else to that company APART from astroturf.

    2. Re:And? by Talderas · · Score: 2, Insightful

      There's nothing that indicates any wrongdoing on Microsoft's part. The agreement linked to in the article is between Machinima and the video creator and not the agreement between Microsoft and Machinima. There's no way to tell if the "positive endorsement" was required by Microsoft or if that's just something Machinima tagged on to the agreement, but hey it's Microsoft so lets bash them anyway and not let facts stand in the way.

      --
      "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
  2. all astroturfing is immoral by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    its legality is irrelevant

  3. Standard operating procedure for Microsoft. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Fake reviews, Fake adverts, Fake court presentations...

  4. Re:Well by Sechr+Nibw · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Well, I never did play Pokémon, but I have to ask: does one ever really outgrow Zelda? Maybe the new games don't do it for you, but don't you ever find yourself wanting to play Ocarina again?