Gap Hoax: Elaborate Online Prank Spoofs Retailer Website

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A fake corporate website has been an embarrassment to the Gap (GPS) — with an online presence that tried to shame the retailer for its response to worker deaths in Bangladesh.

GPS GapThe site GapDoesMore.com — which remained online for two days — went live at the same time at the annual Gap shareholder meeting happened in San Francisco.

There, the company was touting its decision to increase worker minimum wage to $10.

The site, meanwhile, said that the company would be “providing $200,000 in compensation to those affected by the Aswad Composite Mills fire in October 2013.” 

“We ask other brands and retailers to join with us in the accord to work together to prevent further terrible tragedies in Bangladesh. We are committed to compensating the families of those who have lost their lives and those injured in our supply chain. Just as we provided compensation following the That’s It Sportswear fire in December 2010, we will be providing $200,000 in compensation to those affected by the Aswad Composite Mills fire in October 2013.”

The fire claimed the lives of nine workers — though Gap has denied responsibility for the accident or the poor working conditions that led to the deaths.

Asian American activist group 18 Million Rising stepped forward to claim responsibility for the fake site.

“This is not about a hoax on the company,” said 18 Million Rising in a statement. “It’s about justice for the workers who make the company possible.”

Last year Al Jazeera released video footage of 12-year-old girls sewing Gap brand Old Navy labels on jeans.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2014/05/gap-hoax-online-prank-spoofs-retailer-website/.

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