Microsoft ignores porn link on its site

Software giant Microsoft was criticised this week for failing to remove a hardcore pornographic link from its Web site.

The Microsoft customer support team was accused of ignoring an offensive link on the gaming section of its Web site, which takes Starlancer fans through to a pop-up adult porn channel. A ZDNet reader complained to Microsoft earlier this week about the link, where users would expect to find information on the PC space combat simulation game Starlancer.

Microsoft issued an unhelpful email response to the complaint, saying: "We appreciate your report on this issue, but we are unable to reproduce this error. The site appears to be working now." However, the link remained for several days and was only removed late on Thursday after Microsoft was contacted by ZDNet.

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said such an issue should be dealt with by Microsoft's abuse department. "We wouldn't make any moral judgements or requirements on a Web site to act on such material unless it was illegal," said David Kerr, chairman of IWF.

Microsoft's games department said it is now looking into the situation, after saying it would "endeavour to remove the link as soon as possible".

See also: ZDNet UK's Net Crime News Section.

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