As a follow-up to my post this morning on Adult Friend Finder’s settlement with the FTC (where I pointed out that a significant problem with AFF is its affiliate channel), we have these two comment spams that appeared on my blog just this morning (thumbnailed due to graphic content):
These were posted on one blog that had as its topic AFF’s use of porn in advertising, and another about AFF ads appearing on MySpace (I’ve left the comments intact, just broken the links.)
So what is ourfriendfinder? It’s an affiliate of AFF. And the ad on that page is decidedly not even PG 13. It’s practically X-rated.
Incidentally, that ad is being served by AFF (from adserver.adultfriendfinder.com/banner.cgi?lang=english&size=500×500)
(I’ve also saved the page source of ourfriendinder here.)
So let’s go back and look at the FTC settlement:
The settlement bars the defendant from displaying sexually explicit ads to consumers unless the consumers are actively seeking out sexually explicit content or unless the consumers have consented to viewing sexually explicit content. It requires the defendant to take steps to ensure that its affiliates comply with the restriction, and end its relationship with any affiliates who do not comply. It also requires the defendant to establish an Internet-based mechanism for consumers to submit complaints. Finally, the settlement contains bookkeeping and record- keeping requirements to allow the Commission to monitor compliance. [My emphasis in text.]
In these two cases, these were comments spammed on blog posts certainly not providing “sexually explicit content”.
Well there you have it. As I’ve maintained, ain’t nothin gonna change until AFF thoroughly cleans up its sleazy affiliate channels.
Alex Eckelberry