ANHEUSER-BUSCH REPRIMANDED OVER WEBSITE

The attorneys general of 23 states are frothing over Anheuser-Busch's website, Bud.tv, claiming that the beer company has not done enough to prevent minors from gaining access to it. In a letter to the company, it noted that while the company uses software that checks the identification of those trying to access the site, youngsters can defeat the system simply by using an adult's ID. Moreover, once in, they can company the company's videos and post them on sites such as YouTube. The letter said, "We feel strongly that, since you are creating the programming and controlling the Internet-based network, not just advertising on it, you have a higher responsibility to ensure that youth are not exposed to the marketing on your site."

21/02/2007