When Alistair Beswick logged into the Coke Zone rewards Web site in the U.K., he got an obscene security code randomly generated by the site, The Sun reported.
Coke Zone, which randomly generates six-character security codes, asked Beswick to enter "U F * * K R" to enter to claim his reward points, the paper said.
Operated by Coca-Cola Great Britain, the Coke Zone site allows British customers to redeem coupons for gifts including iPods, movie tickets and Domino's Pizza discounts.
"I couldn't believe my eyes when that popped up," Beswick, a 26-year-old warehouse manager, told the paper. "I understand it was randomly generated, but you'd think Coke would have some measures in place to stop four-letter words like that appearing."
Coca-Cola apologized to Beswick and promised immediate action to prevent it from happening again, the Sun reported.
"We apologize for any offense caused to the individual and thank them for bringing this to our attention," a spokesman for Coca-Cola told the Sun. "Unfortunately this has occurred due to an automated selection of random letters but we are taking immediate action to ensure this will not happen again."
Coca-Cola's American public relations department told Slashfood they were looking into the matter.
Have you ever been surprised by a random Internet security code? Let us know in the comments below.
[Via The Sun]
12-11-2009 @2:17PM Mark said... Perhaps Mr. Beswick could submit an algorithm to filter out any sequence of random characters that could be interpreted as profane in any language. Don't forget anagrams and unlucky numbers.
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12-11-2009 @4:38PM Rich said... This can be easily prevented if the generating program doesn't use vowels.
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12-12-2009 @4:27AM Pete Aubair said... Well, let's be honest, it's not as if the worlds largest producer of non-alcoholic drinks haven't got the cash to spend a little on r&d.
You should look at the Sun's website. Coke are being compared with Nazis.
Think of the children!
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12-12-2009 @2:25PM ttownsend said... This was a funny incident and should have just been laughed at. People are really taking PC to a new level. Has TV turned people into complete idiots?
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12-12-2009 @3:08PM rb said... WTF?
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12-12-2009 @3:46PM Roy said... I think that Alistair Beswick needs to grow a set and laugh it off.
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12-12-2009 @4:11PM Sally G said... It seems so; we have to lighten up (IMHO, of course )! There are too many REAL problems to worry about than something like this.
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12-12-2009 @4:18PM SweetP said... Now that's funny!
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12-12-2009 @4:21PM J V L said... Don't ever say Coke doesn't have a sense of humor. Pity the guy who tried to redeem his rewards didn't.
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12-12-2009 @5:17PM AmateurEmale said... They should have alternated letters and numbers in the security code. This would prevent "F*CK", "S*IT", "666", etc.
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12-12-2009 @4:26PM Rich. said... Come on, im sure he's used that word a few tiem's.. why get so upset.. what about the Company in the UK that's called "French Connection UK" (FCUK) I dont see people going ape over that.. Grow a set as someone here said.. and act like adults.. it was a smiple error
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12-12-2009 @4:41PM Richard said... OK.. so he's offended by that word, which im sure he's used a few time's in his life.. but they dont seem to mind the clothing store in the UK called F.C.U.K. which is for French Connection U.K. that's OK but dump on coke for a computer glitch, get a life and laugh at it.. and for those worried about Kids that's also a word tossed aorund in every day life here or there.. as someone posted grow a set and laugh it off.. or are you after coke for some freebies?
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12-12-2009 @4:59PM mikey said... THESE ARE PLANNED BLUNDERS..iTS TO NUMB US OUT,AND ITS ALSO FOR KIDS TO SEE..YES,THEY DO IT ON PURPOSE..THIS IS THE NEW WORLD ORDER,,THEY WANT TO SEE HOW THE SHEEP REACT..ITS NOT A MISTAKE ..NOTICE THAT THEY NEVERR MAKE THE MISTAKE OF GIVING AWAY 5 MILLION CASES OF SODA,,OR ANY SODA FOR THAT MATTER..ITS PRETTY OBVIOUS,PEOPLE...
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12-12-2009 @5:07PM Angel said... Bahahahha!!! That's hilarious!!! Lighten up people! Laugh a little. It's good for the ticker!!!
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12-12-2009 @5:33PM dd said... NO MISTAKE. THE BUSINESS OF SELLING SYRUP TO PEOPLE THAT DONT MIND PUTTING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SUGAR IN THEIR BODIES IS BOOMING. THE CONSTANT BARAGE OF BULLCRAP IS AMAZING. WAS DEXOOL IN MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF CARS & TRUCKS { IT ATE AWAY AT YOUR" GASKETS, YET GM SAID YOU HAD TO USE IT FOR YOU WARRANTY} AN ACCIDENT ? GUESS AGAIN.
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12-12-2009 @5:33PM mlwinter1956 said... if it would have been me i would have kept the code way too funny!!!!!
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12-12-2009 @5:38PM carmine said... WAYYYYYYYYYY OVER THE TOP... DOES THIS MEAN THAT COKE IS A SORE LOSER AND THIS IS THE WAY THEY TREAT THE PEOPLE WHO WIN THEIR PRIZES ....SURELY SOME NERD IN PROGRAMMING COULD HAVE FORSEEN THIS HAPPENING ......THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH FREE ADVERTISING, AND PERHAPS ONE OF THE BEST COMMERCIALS WE'LL NEVER SEE IN AMERICA... GO BRITS... YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN...ROTFLMLWAO...LOL. HA HA HA HA WAY TOOO MUCH LOL
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12-12-2009 @5:58PM Sondra said... I'm with YOU, Mickey! It was no accident. Notice how many comments there are defending poor little Coke, and then there's YOUR comment. lol I believe this illustrates your point....just HOW much, little by little, the sheep are beling lulled to sleep! Better wake up, people. Things of THIS nature are SMALL compared to the other things the New World Order has in store for each of us! After all, America has told God we don't want nor NEED Him anymore, partly as a result of constant, not so obvious brainswashing that has gone on for years. NOW, it's just becoming VERY obvious. You know, God is a Gentleman. When you ask Him to leave, he will sure grant your wish! America will never win another war either as long as we put our faith in the Government and not in God. Have mercy on our poor kids who are over seas trying to fight for a Country that has largely forgotten our Father! lol I know my comments will be v-e-r-y unpopular.
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12-12-2009 @5:57PM Jim said... OOOHHH, the "F-word", oh my.......get over it, it's only a word, and as far as I'm concerned, not an "obscene" word at all. Why does everyone get so pissed or act so offended by a word which was originally created to describe the misdeed of adultery: For Unlawful Carnal Knowlege. So, I suppose the very word "adultery" shoud be offensive as well. The late George Carlin was 100% correct in his assertion that "there are no bad words.....There's bad thoughts, bad intentions......and words. And this particular word was actually an acronym for an unlawful offense, adultery. Big F---ING deal.
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12-12-2009 @6:14PM Jan said... Hey Randy I'm a limey! But I agree with you lol. He just needs to get a sense of humour. Maybe he thought Coke would give him some money for insulting him?!!
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