What Are The Rules around Static/Hardcoded Promotional Codes?

SnowDragon on 11/04/2022 - 10:33
Last edited 11/04/2022 - 10:43

Recently I found out that the University of Tasmania allows students (old and new) to gain a free subscription to NewsCorp for a year (normally $1 per day/$28 per month).

In signing my life up to Murdoch I noticed that the URL that UTAS provides is static and can be used by anyone. I asked a friend to try it out and they were able to sign up with a fake email address ending with the standard UTAS domain.

So my question is: is it ethical/allowed to post such discoveries as a deal? I can only assume that the university is footing the bill for every student who signs up to Murdoch's empire. Having hundreds of OzBargainers sign up using the URL may spoil it for legitimate students (if they don't change the URL at least)

And yes, I know NewsCorp is evil and I agree. But a lot of regional newspapers happen to be apart of the regime.

Poll Options

  • 11
    Share everything regardless of ethical concerns
  • 8
    Don't share things which are meant for specific people
General Discussion

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 11/04/2022 - 10:40
    +7

    This would be a perfect case of don't share.

    It's like that one person who calls a retailer to confirm a price error and stuffs it for everyone else.

  • John Kimble on 11/04/2022 - 11:16
    +5

    I don't think there are any rules around this sort of thing, it's up to you, everyone has different morals.

    Eg I'm against using VPNs for cheaper music/video subscriptions or GPS spoofers for fuel locks, and against taking advantage of price errors.

    I don't think those deals should even be allowed on this website either, but they are.

    But most people here don't care and go to town.

    I know the following example is technically theft, but I think it's similar to taking advantage of and/or spreading the word that an ATM is dispensing the wrong notes vs reporting it to the ATM owner so it gets fixed.

    In the end someone has to lose, could even come back and mean higher fees and/or prices for everyone, but the people taking advantage are too short sighted or don't care if someone else foots the bill or get fired for it (ie in the case of price errors).

    Bring the negs people! Ha

  • GG57 on 11/04/2022 - 11:17
    +3

    I'm pretty sure that UTAS is not footing the bill for every student who signs up. It is very widespread, and is a marketing 'offer' by Murdoch (which increases his sales volumes, which increases his potential income from ads, etc.).

    • SnowDragon on 11/04/2022 - 11:42
      +3

      The link without the code implies that it's at multiple universities.

      It's hard to believe there are people out there who would actually pay for a Murdoch newspaper subscription when all you get is Harvey Norman and the libs.

      • GG57 on 11/04/2022 - 13:39

        Not sure if it is still the case, but the Herald Sun was given away for free in common areas at my old uni.

  • Savas on 11/04/2022 - 11:21
    +6

    if anything, Murdoch probably pays the uni for each sign up.

  • djones145 on 11/04/2022 - 11:26
    +1

    i think murdoch losing out on a few $$ is pocket change

    all they care about is influencing more people, voters and big business

    they will complain once it gets out, but having more people sign up to his media is a win

  • Clear on 11/04/2022 - 11:35
    +3

    When it comes to a small business offering free samples I'll never share. Because when it gets OzBargain'd and can't be honoured the store owners always end up with threats of violence, demands for other freebies and all that other degenerate behaviour.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/04/2022 - 12:10
    +1

    I'd rather NOT read the article at all, find an alternate source, or use a plugin like 12ft - than giving money to old mate murdoch

    • SnowDragon on 11/04/2022 - 12:15
      +1

      Unfortunately 12ft doesn't work with reading the digital newspapers - just articles.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/04/2022 - 12:30
        +1

        in that case share it - but know it might ruin it for everyone else i guess…

        we need an..ozbargain inner circle platinum invite only memebership where each member signs an agreement not to NARC.

        • SnowDragon on 11/04/2022 - 12:36
          +2

          Maybe we can petition Scotty to bring back Premium

    • Savas on 11/04/2022 - 12:28
      +2

      the email i got advertising it was so cringe as well.

      UOW is offering students unlimited digital access to The Daily Telegraph, The Australian and other News Corp Australia's (News) mastheads. This complimentary subscription allows you access the country’s leading publisher of news, opinion and analysis for free until 17 February 2021.

      Murdoch is only the leading publisher on corruption.

  • freefall101 on 11/04/2022 - 13:03
    +2

    IMO if a company isn't going to any efforts to protect a code they don't care if you sign up using it. It basically becomes an extended trial period for people who probably wouldn't have signed up anyway except it's free.

    But a lot of regional newspapers happen to be apart of the regime.

    They're still part of the Murdoch empire and mostly publish what's in the national papers.

    All you're really supporting is a small handful of marketing people to get local advertising dollars and a couple of journals to run local fluff pieces. All the printing/web/major stories/etc is done elsewhere. The Geelong Advertiser only has 18 journalists - 7 once you exclude Sports, Lifestyle, Real Estate and Commercial. A couple of them write for the Herald Sun as well. Most of the "news" part is just fed in from the rest of News Corp.

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