Naked Attraction hit with backlash for ‘creepy and non-consensual’ new adverts taking aim at the public
NAKED Attraction has been hit with backlash for their "creepy and non-consensual" new bus adverts.
Londoners who have branded the advert "tone deaf" appears on double decker buses as part of a nationwide campaign.
It displays an advertisement that is completely black except with three arrows pointing up to passengers sitting on the top floor seats.
TfL, Channel 4 and the Global media group were criticised on social media for the campaign, which included a suggestion the person in the top front seat "loves being naked"
One arrow states they ‘Love Naked Attraction’, the second ‘Hates Naked Attraction’ while the final claims the person above ‘Loves being naked’.
Writer Tracy King shared the image on Twitter, saying: "What the hell is this creepy bus ad? You can't just label non-consenting passengers like that. Does @Channel4 not know how many sexual assaults take place on buses?"
She added: "The bar shouldn't be this low but can ad agencies perhaps start with 'does this concept afford the bus user basic dignity, privacy and autonomy?'"
Viewers accused the broadcaster of being "inappropriate" by using passengers without their consent.
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A YouGov poll published at the beginning of 2020 indicated that more than half of women using public transport in the capital had been sexually harassed.
Social media users were appalled by the advert, reminding the broadcaster of children who could be on the bus.
One wrote: "Not just in London. Saw it on @on_lothianbuses in Edinburgh on Saturday. Was shocked they thought this was acceptable."
Another shared: "@Channel4 going to look pretty creepy when school kids get on."
A third shared: "That’s bizarre at best and disgusting at worst. What the hell. Kids ride these buses."
Another added: "In an ideal world this would be a bit silly but my god, read the room!"
A TfL spokesperson said the organisation works to ensure public transport is a safe environment.
It said confirmed that "any report of sexual assault or inappropriate behaviour is investigated and treated extremely seriously".
The spokesperson added: "We work tirelessly to ensure public transport is a safe environment for everyone, and any report of sexual assault or inappropriate behaviour is investigated and treated extremely seriously.
"We have reviewed the ad campaign and decided that it should not continue to run on our bus network. It will be removed as soon as practicable."
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it had received 26 complaints about the advert.
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A spokesperson for the channel said: "This ad is based on a Channel 4 entertainment programme. It was not our intention to cause offence and we apologise if it has done so."
Naked Attraction is a dating game show, a clothed person is faced with six naked people who are initially hidden in booths. Their bodies and faces are gradually revealed through successive rounds, from the feet up as they pick
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