Mattel, the iconic toymaker behind Barbie faced a digital mishap. A recent incident has revealed that QR codes printed on certain Barbie doll boxes inadvertently linked to pornographic websites.
The company has confirmed that the issue affected a limited number of dolls and has taken immediate steps to rectify the problem. Mattel has assured consumers that they are working diligently to remove the affected products from shelves and online marketplaces.
The company created some special Barbie dolls to promote an upcoming film — Wicked. The issue came to light when social media users discovered that the QR codes on certain Barbie doll boxes were redirecting to adult websites. The misprint specifically affected the boxes of Glinda and Elphaba dolls, the central characters from the movie which starts Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
The company issued an apology
In a statement, Mattel expressed deep regret for the incident, apologiaing for the “unfortunate error” and emphasising that the incorrect website was “not appropriate for children.” The company advised consumers who had already purchased the dolls to either discard or cover the misprinted website link. Additionally, Mattel encouraged anyone affected by the issue to contact their customer service department for further assistance.
“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel customer service for further information,” said the company.