Misleading iPhone UK Ad Pulled

The Advertising Standards Authority has pulled an iPhone advertisement in the UK, but it’s not one of the questionable ads about the phone being “twice as fast” or “half the price” that aired in the U.S. Instead, this particular ad stated that “all parts of the internet are on the iPhone,” without noting the lack of proper Flash or Java support, which many web surfers would consider part of the internet.

Apple responded with the claim that the context of the ad was specific. The company “aimed at highlighting Internet site availability, not to every aspect of functionality available on every website.” Unfortunately, even with this excuse, the interpretation was far too lose for many viewers who complained about the ad, and there are many Flash-only websites, which would counter their argument.

The ASA has banned the commercial from future broadcast, but as you might expect, the video can still be viewed on YouTube and other online video websites.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it received complaints from two local viewers who took issue with a claim in the 30-second spot which stated that “all the parts of the internet are on the iPhone.”